For the fifth year in a row, a special prayer day for the sick organized by Sasmad on the occasion of the World Day for the Sick (WDS) will take place on Feb. 8, at 9 a.m.

This is a very important diocesan event in our Church, for it shows the crucial place the sick, the oppressed and the poor occupy in the heart of God and Christ, the Good Samaritan par excellence.

In 1992, Saint Pope John Paul II established the WDS on the feast of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes. The athlete-poet Karol Vojtyla had visited Lourdes often, first as a priest, and later as archbishop, cardinal, and finally as pope in 1983. But his last pilgrimage at the Messabielle grotto in 2004 left a strong impression in the whole world since he was suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

Everyone goes through difficult times, struggles, bereavements, and moments of uncertainty and suffering. Each human being, even though exceptional, needs at one point to heal physically, psychologically or spiritually. The theme chosen by Pope Francis for the WDS 2020 concerns us all:

 « COME TO ME, ALL YOU THAT ARE WEARY AND ARE CARRYING HEAVY BURDENS, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.” (Mt 11:28) ».
 

Pope Francis says in his message that this theme is not only meant for the sick, but also for health-care workers: “… one cannot bring Christ’s solace without being personally comforted.”

At Sasmad, as spiritual care providers we feel deeply concerned: “Comforted by Christ in order to comfort the afflicted.”

On the WDS, we say intercession prayers for the sick and celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for the volunteers who comfort the sick like the Good Samaritan Christ. You are therefore invited to partake in a day of prayer with the sick, for the sick, on Saturday, Feb. 8, at Saint-Isaac-Jogues parish, at 9 a.m. The Most Rev. Christian Lépine, Archbishop of Montreal, will preside the Mass for the sick.

Please find attached the WDS 2020 advertisement and schedule for Feb. 8 at St-Isaac-Jogues.

Mrs. Christiane Lemaire, Sasmad Coordinator