Celebration of the 29th World Day of the Sick, “CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER” 

Message to the whole HOSPITALLER COMMUNITY

As we celebrate the World Day of the Sick, I am happy to address all of you as the members of the Hospitaller Community: patients, co-workers, relatives, volunteers, benefactors, friends and sisters, with a greeting of Peace.

In his message for this Day, Pope Francis has entrusted to “Mary, Mother of Mercy and Health of the Sick, all those who are ill, healthcare workers and all those who generously assist our suffering brothers and sisters. May she […] sustain our faith and hope and help us care for one another with fraternal love”[i].

I have chosen this text – CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER – to illuminate this message, thinking of the countless ways we care for one another in the daily life of our hospitaller community where we are all involved on the front line:  

• We care for one another when we commit ourselves to joyfully serving others and when we overcome weariness and give the best of ourselves;
• We care for one another when, with a word or a smile, we give thanks for the many acts of kindness and support we receive every day;
• We care for one another when, concealed behind protective equipment or face masks, we treat people tenderly, and make them feel safe and confident;
• We care for one another when we appreciate words conveying hope, recognising a brother or sister in others, and a helping hand that lifts us up, and gives us courage;
• We care for one another when we do not remain indifferent to the needs of others, especially when they do not acknowledge them or do not know how to express them;
• We care for one another when we listen to more than mere words, and give a hug that makes the other person feel protected and at home;
• We care for one another when we experience empathy and compassion, when we allow ourselves to be affected by the sufferings of others and commit ourselves to serving them;
• We care for one another when we call each other by name, when we know how to give our time to accompany each other at any moment;
• We care for one another when… (I invite you to complete the list…).

With the pandemic at its height, it is my hope that by celebrating this Day, we shall be able to discover within ourselves our ability to care, and our need to be cared for.

I entrust this celebration to the special intercession of our Founder, St Benito Menni, and I send you all my cordial best wishes.

Anabela Carneiro, Superior General  

Rome, 11 February 2021

[i] POPE FRANCIS, Message for the XXIX world day of the sick, Rome 20/12/2020.