This was stressed by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales in his homily during yesterday’s mass marking the observance of the 15th World Day of the Sick at the Espiritu Santo (Holy Spirit) parish church at the corner of Rizal Ave. and Tayuman St. in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Rosales said everyone needs healing because people are suffering from various illnesses.

"Let us not think that it is only those who are bedridden and on a wheelchair who are sick because all of us have sickness. We are all sick, that’s why we all need to be healed," he said.

But those people who have nothing but bad things in mind, he said, are the ones who are sick the most.

"If you have nothing in mind, but yourself, cheat, steal, and oppress, this is a greater kind of sickness that only Jesus can heal," said Rosales.

To be healed, he said, one must simply knock at Christ’s door, and His door will be opened as what God had promised to His people.

He then urged the faithful to pray to the Blessed Mother, particularly to the Our Lady of Lourdes, so that through her intercession, their wish to be healed from whatever it is that ails them will be granted.

This is because many of those who asked for the Our Lady’s intercession have actually been healed, he said. This is why the World Day of the Sick is timed with the Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes today, Feb. 11.

"(They said) anyone who goes to Lourdes (France) will receive a miracle. Some who could not stand will stand again, those who could not walk will walk again," he said.

"Let us ask the help of the Blessed Mother so that she will bring us closer to Jesus who will be the one to heal us," said Rosales.

Meanwhile, because Feb. 11 falls on a Sunday, the Lord’s Day, the commemoration of the Feast of the Our Lady of Lourdes and the World Day of the Sick has been moved a day earlier.

The World Day of the Sick was declared by the late Pope John Paul II, on May 13, 1992 as a way of showing love, compassion, and care for the sick, the aged, the disabled, and the dying.

World Day of the Sick observed by Catholics

By CHRISTINA I. HERMOSO

Christians from across the globe commemorated the 15th World Day of the Sick (WDS) yesterday as a reminder to reflect, pray intensely and sincerely and respond to the needs of the sick particularly those suffering from incurable and terminal illnesses as well as to recognize and honor all persons who work in health care facilities.

Meetings, conferences, pastoral gatherings and liturgical celebrations were held by representatives of the Church, health care personnel, and the sick and their families under the sponsorship of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care.

This year’s theme "The Spiritual and Pastoral Care of the Patients with Incurable Illnesses," called attention to the incurably ill and dying from terminal diseases.

Pope Benedict XVI in his message for the WDS observance stressed the need "for more palliative care centers which provide integral care, offering the sick the human assistance and spiritual accompaniment they need."

The Holy Father encouraged the efforts "of those who work daily to ensure that the incurably and terminally ill, together with their families, receive adequate and loving care."

He urged those suffering from incurable and terminal diseases "to contemplate the sufferings of Christ crucified and in union with Him, to turn to the Father with complete trust that all life, and your lives in particular, are in His hands."

In the country, Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales held a Healing Mass for the Sick yesterday at the Holy Spirit Parish in Sta. Cruz, Manila. The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was also performed during the mass.