Pope Francis' Message for the World Day of the Sick 2023

Saturday 11th February 2023, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, will see the celebration of the 31st World Day of the Sick. Pope Francis' message for the day was published on 10th January, with the title: "Take care of him" - Compassion as a synodal exercise of healing. Pope Francis refers to the parable of the Good Samaritan, and the reflection on that parable in his Encyclical Letter Fratelli Tutti (nn.56 ff) to discuss the phenomenon of abandonment that may accompany illness. I have added the emphasis in the quotation below:

Brothers and sisters, we are rarely prepared for illness. Oftentimes, we fail even to admit that we are getting older. Our vulnerability frightens us and the pervasive culture of efficiency pushes us to sweep it under the carpet, leaving no room for our human frailty. In this way, when evil bursts onto the scene and wounds us, we are left stunned. Moreover, others might abandon us at such times. Or, in our own moments of weakness, we may feel that we should abandon others in order to avoid becoming a burden. This is how loneliness sets in, and we can become poisoned by a bitter sense of injustice, as if God himself had abandoned us. Indeed, we may find it hard to remain at peace with the Lord when our relationship with others and with ourselves is damaged. It is crucial, then, even in the midst of illness, that the whole Church measure herself against the Gospel example of the Good Samaritan, in order that she may become a true “field hospital”, for her mission is manifested in acts of care, particularly in the historical circumstances of our time. We are all fragile and vulnerable, and need that compassion which knows how to pause, approach, heal, and raise up. Thus, the plight of the sick is a call that cuts through indifference and slows the pace of those who go on their way as if they had no sisters and brothers.

The suggestion that the person who is sick is able to allow others to express their own dignity as persons by caring for their brothers and sisters who are more vulnerable is an important one. Certainly the person who cares recognises and promotes the dignity of the person who is sick and, in the terms of the parable, does not abandon them at the roadside. But Pope Francis is suggesting that there is a certain reciprocal action here on the part of the person who is sick, encouraging them not to abandon in their turn the dignity of the person who cares for them, and for whom they should never feel they are a burden.

In the particular circumstances of today, Pope Francis calls us to the corporal work of mercy that is the visiting of the sick.