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 Pope
Asks for Support to
those who are Sick
More needs to be done to offer proper care and
support for people especially to those who suffer from mental illness,
Pope Benedict XVI said in his message for the World Day of the Sick.
Mental illness "afflicts one-fifth of mankind and constitutes
a real and authentic social health care emergency. Many parts of
the world, the services for these sick people are lacking, insufficient
or in a state of decay" the pope said.
The 14th World Day of the Sick will be held on February 11 in Adelaide,
Australia. The pope said he would be "spiritually present"
that day dedicated to the situation of the mentally ill in the world.
He said experts have found "new forms of mental disturbance"
linked to "the crisis of moral values." People must integrate
appropriate therapy for the mentally ill and "a new sensitivity"
toward mental illness and those who suffer from it, he said.
The pope said proper legislation, funding and training need to be
supported or implemented in the mental health sector so that caregivers
can better help these people and their families.
He also hoped for a "culture of welcoming and sharing will
grow and spread" and lead to "suitable laws and health
care programs" for the mentally ill.
He encouraged those already working in the sector and asked them
to ensure the assistance being offered respects human dignity.
Pope John Paul II formally instituted the World Day of the Sick
in 1992, and the first day was observed Feb. 11, 1993, the feast
of Our Lady of Lourdes.
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| LIVES
OF THE SAINTS |
May
18
ST. JOHN
I
St. John I was a priest of Rome. He became pope after
the death of Pope St. Hormisdas in 523. At that time, Italy's
ruler, Theodoric the Goth, was an Arian. (The Arians did not
believe that Jesus is God.) Theodoric let Catholics alone
at the beginning of his reign. Later, however, he changed
and became arrogant and suspicious of everyone.
May
19
ST. CELESTINE V
Peter di Morone was the eleventh of twelve children.
He was born around 1210 in Isernia, Italy. His father died
when he was small. The family was poor, but Peter's mother
raised her children with great love.
May
20
ST. BERNARDINE OF SIENA
St. Bernardine of Siena was born in 1380 in a town
near Siena, Italy. He was the son of an Italian governor.
His parents died when he was seven.
May
21
BLESSED
EUGENE DE MAZENOD
Blessed Eugene was born in France in 1782. He became
a priest in 1811. Father Eugene was sensitive to the needs
of the poor and he ministered to them.
May
22
ST. RITA OF CASCIA
St. Rita was born in 1381 in a little Italian village.
Her parents were older. They had begged God to send them a
child. They brought Rita up well. Rita wanted to enter the
convent when she was fifteen, but her parents decided that
she should marry instead.
May
23
ST. JOHN
BAPTIST ROSSI
St. John Baptist Rossi was born in 1698 in a village
near Genoa, Italy. His family loved him. They were proud when
a wealthy couple visiting their town offered to educate him.
His parents knew the couple and trusted them. John was happy
to be able to go to their house in Genoa because then he could
attend school.
May
24
ST. DAVID
I OF SCOTLAND
St. David was born in 1080. He was the youngest son of St.
Margaret, queen of Scotland, and her good husband, King Malcom.
David himself became king when he was about forty.
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PHOTO OF THE MONTH |
Tour
of the Relics of the Passion
(International Center
for Holy Relics)
www.HolyRelics.org
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| REFLECTIONS |
 “Jesus’
Baptism”
Why did Jesus, the sinless one sent from the Father in heaven,
submit himself to John’s baptism? John preached a
baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke
3:3). In this humble submission we see a foreshadowing of
the “baptism” of Jesus bloody death upon the
cross. Jesus’ baptism is the acceptance and the beginning
of his mission as God’s suffering Servant (Isaiah
52:13-15; 53:1-12). He allowed himself to be numbered among
sinners. Jesus submitted himself entirely to his Father’s
will. Out of love he consented to this baptism of death
for the remission of our sins. Do you know the joy of trust
and submission to God?
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