World Day of the Sick 2024
The Most Reverend Francis Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto released a letter to the faithful saying, in part, “I wish to extend my prayers and personal closeness to all those in the Archdiocese of Toronto who may be ill, isolated or lonely. Be assured that our faith community is praying for you, asking for the comfort and consolation of Our Lord in your life each day.”
He continued by showing appreciation for all who care for those suffering, “We also give thanks for all those who have been called to the ministry of healing through our Catholic hospitals and health care organizations. Doctors, nurses, chaplains and support care workers and volunteers reflect the face of Christ in serving those living with ailments. I also express my gratitude to family members and friends who accompany the sick and the suffering through personal visits, ongoing care and most importantly, a prescription of friendship, love and presence.”
His Holiness Pope Francis also released a message titled, “It is not good that man should be alone”.
The CCCB Standing Committee for Family and Life has prepared a video inviting all the faithful to adopt the compassionate gaze of Jesus toward those who suffer or may feel alone, marginalized or abandoned. By working together, we may counter a “culture of individualism” and indifference and grow instead a culture of tenderness and compassion in our society.
The CCCB invites all to mark this year’s World Day of the Sick by praying for the sick and offering them our pastoral attention.
“At the heart of Catholic health care is a deep respect for the intrinsic value and dignity of every human being and an unwavering commitment to serving all people, from all backgrounds and faiths – especially society’s most vulnerable.”
Last week we celebrated National Catholic Health Care Week - an opportunity to recognize the important work of Catholic health care providers and organizations nationwide. We are blessed to have several Catholic health organizations in the Archdiocese of Toronto.
We give thanks and ask God to continue to bless the work these organizations and the caregivers within them do in caring for the sick.
In this video, Father Kevin Belgrave, Director of the Institute of Theology, explores the deeper meaning of Catholic health care and the dignity and human fullness of those it seeks to serve.