The Holy Father’s Intentions: Pastoral Care of the Sick

Several years ago, my parish priest told me about a woman from the parish who was dealing with chronic illness and needed someone to bring Holy Communion to her. Fr. Peter asked me in particular because I lived closer to this lady than the other Eucharistic ministers, but also because he thought we would get along well.

It turns out that one Saturday of taking Holy Communion to this woman led to many subsequent Communion services, visits, and phone calls. We developed a friendship over the years, chatted about many things during our conversations, and prayed for one another.

Visiting the sick is one of the corporal works of mercy and something that we should take seriously as Christians. It was a regular part of my routine as a foreign missionary, but you and I know that sickness isn’t limited to any geographical region. There are people everywhere suffering from short-term and long-term illnesses. 

This month, we join the Holy Father in praying for the sick and the pastoral care of those suffering from illness. The Pope says:

We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

While only priests can minister the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, all of us can pray by name for those who are sick, visit or call them, make a meal, or send a card of encouragement. 

And if we don’t know anyone personally who is ill right now, there are certainly members of our parishes whose day could be brightened by a visit or a phone call. Let us pray this month for the sick, for those who care for them, and also for the insight to know how we can be present to those who are ill and bring the light of Christ to them.