11th February: Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and World Day for the Sick

The World Day for the Sick is celebrated tomorrow. This year, its theme is particularly that of sick children. This reflects the subject of the conference held (in November 2008, I think) by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral of Health Care.

I have finally found an English translation of Pope Benedict XVI's message for this day. It can be found here. Here is an extract:

This year we direct our attention particularly to children, the weakest and most defenceless creatures, and, amongst them, to the sick and suffering children. There are little human beings who carry in their bodies the consequences of illnesses which have made them invalids and others who fight against diseases that are now incurable despite the progress of medicine and the care of qualified researchers and health-care professionals. There are children wounded in their bodies and souls as a consequence of conflicts and wars, and other innocent victims of the hatred of senseless adults. There are ‘street’ children, deprived of the warmth of a family and abandoned to themselves, and minors profaned by abject people who violate their innocence, provoking in them a psychological wound that will mark them for the rest of their lives. And we cannot forget the incalculable number of young people who die because of thirst, hunger, lack of health care, and the little exiles and refugees from their own lands, with their parents, who are in search of better conditions of life. From all these children arises a silent cry of pain that calls on our conscience as men and believers.