By Georgiana Francisco|Correspondent

For Catholics throughout the world, Feb. 11 marks the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and is also the day they observe the World Day of the Sick and are asked to remember those who are sick and those who care for them.

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In the Diocese of Trenton, St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton, served as the site of the 2017 World Day of the Sick observance held Feb. 10 where thoughtful messages of comfort and hope were conveyed to the infirm and their caregivers by Msgr. Walter Nolan, a retired priest of the Diocese. Throughout the morning, Msgr. Nolan spent time visiting patients and administering the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick then celebrated Mass for medical and administrative staff in the hospital’s warm and inviting chapel.

As "Amazement at what God has accomplished: 'The Almighty has done great things for me'," served as the 2017 World Day of the Sick theme, Msgr. Nolan reflected on how the day has been celebrated annually for 25 years since it was instituted by Pope John Paul II in 1992.

“There are so many special days in our faith, but World Day of the Sick is an absolute blessing,” he said.

“Today, we share friendship and hope that we ask for. We hope that those here [in St. Francis Medical Center] and those throughout the world are blessed with a healing of mind, body and soul … We all need healing in some way, whether physically or spiritually,” said Msgr. Nolan.

Msgr. Nolan acknowledged how “humbled” he was to celebrate Mass with the caretakers, doctors, nurses, chaplains and volunteers of St. Francis in attendance, saying that to him, they depicted the “icon of what everyone should be doing for those who are most in need and who are most precious to God.”

Msgr. Nolan briefly shared his own experience of having been present for the first World Day of the Sick observance held in Lourdes, France, in 1992. It was in Lourdes where 159, years ago the Blessed Virgin Mary first  appeared to a young girl who would go on to become St. Bernadette. Lourdes has since become a place of pilgrimage where miracles of faith and healing have been reported. 

“From that apparition, great healing, physical and spiritual has taken place,” Msgr. Nolan said of Lourdes. “So yes, God has done great things for us.”

After Mass and during the luncheon, the participants enjoyed sharing their thoughts on the diocesan World Day of the Sick observance, which was hosted under the auspices of the diocesan Department of Pastoral Care,

Retired licensed practical nurse and octogenarian Jackie McClellan, a local resident who regularly attends Mass in the hospital chapel, expressed appreciation for the celebration then spoke as one who has had the experience of being both a caregiver and having been in need of care herself in the past.

“This day means a lot to me,” she said. “I appreciate being able to attend this Mass because it’s a time to honor both the sick and those who care for them. And I have been both.”

The hospital’s chief administrative officer, Vince Constantino, explained that the “World Day of the Sick represents how the staff shows their love and compassion for the sick and their love and compassion for the community.”

“But it’s really a celebration of what we do every day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,”  he said.

First-year resident Madiha Khurshad, whose parents are both physicians, said, “Unfortunately, I was never aware that there was a World Day of the Sick, but when I heard about it here at St. Francis, I was really excited about it and truly appreciated being a part of it.”

One physician saw the day as an opportunity to pray and to think about the role of healthcare providers.

“This is not a profession; it’s a calling, 24 hours a day. And we remember with great compassion all of our patients, those who are suffering from illnesses, because they give a lot of solace to us, too, and serve as an inspiration to us and what we have been called to do,” the physician said.