Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

Hope Amid Suffering Leads to God, Pope Says in Message for World's Sick

Posted on February 11, 2025 in: News

Hope Amid Suffering Leads to God, Pope Says in Message for World's Sick

The Catholic Church celebrates the World Day of the Sick on the Feb. 11 feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

 

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While the Holy Year 2025 refrain, "Hope does not disappoint," can be difficult for those suffering from illness to embrace, Christians are called to recognize God's closeness even in moments of weakness or despair, Pope Francis said.

Sickness "becomes an occasion for a transformative encounter" when one is open to God, he wrote in his message for the 33rd World Day of the Sick, observed by the church Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

In addition, the Vatican will host the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers April 5-6, an event that will close with a papal Mass celebrated in St. Peter's Square. 

"Suffering always brings with it a mysterious promise of salvation, for it makes us experience the closeness and reality of God's consoling presence," the pope wrote in the message released Jan. 27.

Despite the frailty felt "on the physical, psychological and spiritual levels" during times of illness, "we also experience the closeness and compassion of God, who, in Jesus, shared in our human suffering," Pope Francis wrote. "God does not abandon us and often amazes us by granting us a strength that we never expected and would never have found on our own."

Pope Francis said that suffering can also be accepted by Christians as a gift, for it "makes us aware that hope comes from the Lord."

"Indeed, only in Christ's resurrection does our own life and destiny find its place within the infinite horizon of eternity," he wrote.

The pope compared the journey of the ill to that of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, who, by sharing their anxieties and disappointments with Jesus, came to recognize his presence, enabling them to "sense that 'greater reality' which, by drawing near to us, restores our courage and confidence." 

Suffering, Pope Francis added, develops a profound sense of sharing and encounter. Those who tend to the sick realize that they are "angels of hope and messengers of God for one another," be it at home or at a clinic, nursing home or hospital.

"We need to learn how to appreciate the beauty and significance of these grace-filled encounters," he wrote. "We need to learn how to cherish the gentle smile of a nurse, the gratitude and trust of a patient, the caring face of a doctor or volunteer, or the anxious and expectant look of a spouse, a child, a grandchild or a dear friend."

Such gestures are "rays of light to be treasured," the pope said, which even amid adversity "give us strength, while at the same time teaching us the deeper meaning of life in love and closeness."

Those who care for the sick during the Jubilee year "play an especially important part," the pope said in his message. Their dedication has an impact "far beyond the rooms and beds of health facilities" in promoting charity and are "capable of bringing light and warmth wherever they are most needed."

"The whole church thanks you for this!" he wrote. "I do as well, and I remember you always in my prayers."

This article was originally published by the USCCB on February 11, 2025. 


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Calendar of Events

Posted on July 04, 2025 in: Events, Around the Diocese

31310

Join Bishop Reidy for a Youth Hike!

Posted on June 17, 2025 in: News, Events

1538

Join Bishop Reidy for a Youth Hike!
Middle School and High School youth are invited to a special hike with Bishop Reidy on Saturday, July 19th at 10:00 A.M. at Hurd State Park in East Hampton. Hurd State Park provides the perfect backdrop for a meaningful outdoor adventure, blending fun, exercise, scenic views, and moments of spiritual reflection. The park's flexible trails, peaceful riverside spots, and stunning overlooks make it an ideal place to connect with nature and one another. What to bring: Comfortable shoes, water, and a picnic lunch. Parents are welcome, and Youth Groups are encoura...

Read More

A Prayer for Father's Day

Posted on June 12, 2025 in: Reflections

1219

A Prayer for Father's Day
Dear God, Thank you for loving us with your perfect heart of a father. We ask you this Father's Day and always to guide and protect the hearts of all men in fatherly roles who are striving to love with your heart and do your work. Give them pure, chaste, courageous, and creative hearts like Saint Joseph. Give them hearts that never tire of serving those they are called to love. Give them hearts that seek out their loved ones and gently turn their gaze to see You, who is Love.  And we ask you, Father, to bless them abundantly today....

Read More

Now Hiring: Faith Filled Educators

Posted on June 17, 2025 in: News, School News

1135

Now Hiring: Faith Filled Educators
There are several current job openings for educators in our diocese.  The positions are updated weekly, so be sure to bookmark this page in your browser-  NorwichDiocese.org/Employment Click Here to See the Current Open Positions  All candidates must complete the official professional application to be considered for a teaching position or principal position and submit it to the Diocesan School Office. Applications are available on the employment page of the website. Visit NorwichDiocese.org/Employment to view all of the open jobs in the di...

Read More

Pray for the Pope: Join the Sacred Heart Novena June 19–27
Knights of Columbus Launches Sacred Heart Novena for Pope Leo XIV New Haven, Conn. — The Knights of Columbus have announced a special novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the intention of Pope Leo XIV, beginning June 19—his anniversary of priestly ordination—and concluding June 27, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly is encouraging Knights, their families, and all people of goodwill to participate in the novena and to submit personal prayer intentions, which he will personally bring to Rome later this Jubilee Year. P...

Read More

Prayer for Our Nation

Posted on July 03, 2025 in: News

957

Prayer for Our Nation
  Prayer for Our Nation   God our Father, Giver of life, we entrust the United States of America to Your loving care. You are the rock on which this nation was founded. You alone are the true source of our cherished rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people. Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation’s leaders. Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Remind Your people that true happiness is r...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
5 Ways to Sanctify Your Summer Vacation and Evangelize
Calendar of Events

 

Prayer for Our Nation
With Pope's Support, Vatican to Publish Document on Synod's Final Phase
Pope Leo XIV’s Marriage Advice? Keep Calm and Pray the Rosary
Archdiocese Is Selected for National Parent and Family Faith Project
We Can Help. Promise to Protect-Pledge to Heal.
Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV Recommend This Book, Which Warns of a World Without God
Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard F. Reidy
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
Click to view album: 40 Days for Life 2024
Click to view album: Blessing of the Fleet 2024
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294