Book Description
The Loving Heart "Alongside those who suffer there is always a loving heart." The Loving Heart collects many of the prayers and public pronouncements that Pope John Paul II has made on behalf of people suffering with illness or living with disability. In his own words, the Pope shows the depth of his compassion and the empathy he feels for those who are sick. He recognizes also that the Church has a great deal to learn from anyone who is suffering -- a realization strengthened when the Pope himself was close to death after the attempt made on his life in 1981. "The Church is a society where those who are suffering find a special welcome," he says. "Christianity reveals that pain is not futile; rather it conceals a true meaning and value." This book delves into the nature of that meaning and value while demonstrating the Church's commitment to displaying to everyone its loving heart. "May God bless and comfort all those who suffer. And may Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world and healer of the sick, make his light shine through human weakness as a guide for us and for all humanity. Amen."

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Chapter 1: World Day of the SickLetter instituting the World Day of the SickA moment of prayer, sharing, and remembranceTo our reverend brotherCardinal Fiorenzo Angelini, president of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care WorkersHaving favorably received the request from you, the above mentioned, as president of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, and also as representative of various Episcopal Conferences and national and international Catholic organizations, I wish to tell you that I have decided to establish a World Day of the Sick, to be celebrated every year on February 11, the liturgical commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes. In fact, I consider it opportune to extend to the whole ecclesial community an initiative that, already in force in some countries and regions, has produced pastoral fruit that is truly precious.The Church, which, following the example of Christ, has always recognized, throughout the centuries, the duty of service to the sick and the suffering as an integral part of its mission, is aware that "a fundamental motive of its mission today exists in giving a loving and generous welcome to every human life, above all those who are weak and sick."Furthermore, the Church consistently emphasizes the salvific nature of the offering of suffering, which, lived in communion with Christ, belongs to the very essence of redemption.The annual celebration of the World Day of the Sick therefore has the stated purpose of increasing the sensitivity of the People of God and, in consequence, of the many Catholic health-care facilities and of civil society itself to the need for insuring that the sick receive the best possible care; of helping those who are sick to value suffering, on the human and, above all, the supernatural level; of involving particularly the dioceses, the Christian communities, and religious Families in the health-care ministry; of remembering the importance of the spiritual and moral education of health-care workers; and, finally, of reminding both diocesan and regular priests, not to mention those who live and work with the sick, to understand the importance of religious help for the sick.Just as on the date of February 11, 1984, I published the Apostolic Letter Salvifici Doloris on the Christian meaning of human suffering and, the following year, instituted this Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, so I consider it meaningful to establish the same day for the celebration of the World Day of the Sick. In fact, "together with Mary, the Mother of Christ, who was at the Cross, let us stop at all the crosses of mankind today." And Lourdes, one of the most beloved Marian sanctuaries of the Christian people, is the place and at the same time the symbol of hope and grace in the sign of acceptance of suffering and of offering it for salvation.I beg you, therefore, to bring to the attention of those in charge of the health-care ministry, in the bishops' conferences and in national and international organizations engaged in the vast network of health care, the institution of this World Day of the Sick, so that, in accord with local requirements and circumstances, its celebration may be properly carried out with the support of the entire People of God: priests, men and women religious, and lay faithful.To that purpose, it will be the concern of this Dicastery to promote and encourage timely initiatives, so that the World Day of the Sick may be a special time of prayer and sharing, of offering one's suffering for the good of the Church, and of reminding everyone to see in his sick brother or sister the Holy Face of Christ, who, by suffering, dying, and rising, achieved the salvation of mankind.While I hope for the full cooperation of all, so that this Day will have a strong start and rapid development, I entrust divine efficacy to the maternal mediation of Mary Salus Infirmorum, Health of the Sick, and to the intercession of the saints Giovanni di Dio and Camillo de Lellis, patrons of health-care workers and of institutions for the care of the sick. May these saints continue to increase the fruits of an apostolate of charity, which the modern world sorely needs.May the Apostolic Blessing strengthen these vows, which I make to you from the depths of my heart, Signor Cardinal, and to those who help you in the work of serving the sick.From the Vatican, May 13, 1992,Ioannes Paulus IILove for those who suffer is the sign and measure of the degree of civilization and progress of a peopleThe Christian community has always paid special attention to the sick and to the world of suffering in its many manifestations. In the wake of that long tradition, the universal Church, with a renewed spirit of service, is preparing to celebrate the first World Day of the Sick as a special occasion for growth, with an attitude of listening, reflection, and effective commitment in the face of the great mystery of pain and illness. That Day, which, beginning in February 1993, will be celebrated every year on February 11, the day of commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes, seeks to be for all believers "a special time of prayer and sharing, of offering one's suffering for the good of the Church and of reminding everyone to see in his sick brother or sister the face of Christ, who, by suffering, dying, and rising, achieved the salvation of mankind."The day seeks, further, to involve all people of goodwill. Indeed, the basic questions posed by the reality of suffering, in fact, and the appeal to bring both physical and spiritual relief do not concern only believers but challenge all humanity, marked by the limitations of the mortal condition.Unfortunately, we are preparing to celebrate this first World Day in circumstances that are dramatic for several reasons: the events of these months, while bringing out the urgency of prayer in asking for help from on High, recall us to the duty of launching new and urgent initiatives of help for those who suffer and cannot wait.Before the eyes of all are the sad images of individuals and whole peoples who, lacerated by war and conflicts, succumb under the weight of easily avoidable calamities. How can we turn our gaze from the imploring faces of so many human beings, especially children, reduced to a shell of their former selves by hardships of every kind in which they are caught up against their will because of selfishness and violence? And how can we forget all those who at health-care facilities -- hospitals, clinics, leprosariums, centers for the disabled, nursing homes -- or in their own dwellings undergo the calvary of sufferings that are often neglected, not always suitably relieved, and sometimes even made worse by a lack of adequate support?Illness, which in everyday experience is perceived as a frustration of the natural life force, for believers becomes an appeal to "read" the new, difficult situation in the perspective that is proper to faith. Outside of faith, moreover, how can we discover in the moment of trial the constructive contribution of pain? How can we give meaning and value to the anguish, unease, and physical and psychic ills accompanying our mortal condition? What justification can we find for the decline of old age and the final goal of death, which, in spite of all scientific and technological progress, inexorably remain?Yes, only in Christ, the incarnate Word, Redeemer of mankind and victor over death, is it possible to find satisfactory answers to such fundamental questions.In the light of Christ's death and resurrection, illness no longer appears an exclusively negative event; rather, it is seen as a "visit by God," an opportunity "to release love, in order to give birth to works of love toward our neighbor, in order to transform the whole of human civilization into a civilization of love."The history of the Church and of Christian spirituality offers very broad testimony of this. Over the centuries shining pages have been written of heroism in suffering accepted and offered in union with Christ. And no less marvelous pages have been traced out through humble service to the poor and the sick, in whose tormented flesh the presence of the poor, crucified Christ has been recognized.The celebration of the World Day of the Sick -- in its preparation, its unfolding, and its objectives -- is not meant to be reduced to a mere external display centering on certain initiatives, however praiseworthy they may be, but is intended to reach consciences to make them aware of the valuable contribution that human and Christian service to those who suffer makes to better understanding among people and, consequently, to building real peace.Indeed, peace presupposes, as its preliminary condition, that special attention be reserved for the suffering and the sick by public authorities, national and international organizations, and every person of goodwill. This is valid, first of all, for developing countries -- in Latin America, Africa, and Asia -- which are marked by serious deficiencies in health care. With the celebration of the World Day of the Sick, the Church is promoting a renewed commitment to those populations, and seeking to wipe out the injustice existing today by devoting greater human, spiritual, and material resources to their needs.In this regard, I wish to address a special appeal to civil authorities, to people of science, and to all those who work directly with the sick. May their service never become bureaucratic and impersonal! Particularly, may it be quite clear to all that the administration of public money imposes the serious duty of avoiding its waste and improper use so that available resources, administered wisely and equitably, will serve to insure prevention of disease and care during illness for all who need them.The hopes that are so alive today for a humanization of medicine and health care require a more decisive response. To make health care more humane and adequate it is, however, essential to draw on a transcendent vision of man which stresses the value and sacredness of life in the sick person as the image and child of God. Illness and pain affect every human being: love for the suffering is the sign and measure of the degree of civilization and progress of a people.To you, dear sick people all over the world, the main actors of this World Day, may this event bring the announcement of the living and comforting presence of the Lord. Your sufferings, accepted and borne with unshakable faith, take on, when joined to those of Christ, extraordinary value for the life of the Church and the good of humanity.For you, health-care workers called to the highest, most meritorious, and exemplary testimony of justice and love, may this day be a renewed spur to continue in your delicate service, with generous openness to the profound values of the person, to respect for human dignity, and to the defense of life, from its beginning to its natural close.For you, Pastors of the Christian people, and to all the different members of the Church community, for volunteers, and particularly for those engaged in the health-care ministry, may this World Day of the Sick offer stimulus and encouragement to go forward with fresh dedication on the path of service to tried, suffering humanity.On the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes, whose shrine at the foot of the Pyrenees has become a temple of human suffering, we approach -- as she did on Calvary, where the Cross of her Son rose up -- the crosses of pain and solitude of so many brothers and sisters to bring them comfort, to share their suffering and present it to the Lord of life, in spiritual communion with the whole Church.May the Blessed Virgin, Health of the Sick and Mother of the Living, be our support and our hope and, through the celebration of the Day of the Sick, increase our sensitivity and dedication to those being tested, along with the trusting expectation of the luminous day of our salvation, when every tear will be dried forever. May it be granted to us to enjoy the first fruits of that day from now on in the superabundant joy -- though in the midst of all tribulations -- promised by Christ which no one can take from us.My blessing on all!From the Vatican, October 21, 1992Message for February 11, 1993,First World Day of the SickThe sick, the afflictedIt is these especially to whom,at the very start of our pastoral ministry,we wish to open our heart.Is it not in fact you,brothers and sisters,who with your sufferingsshare the passion of the Redeemer himselfand in some way complete it?The unworthy successor of Peter,who proposes to examinethe unfathomable riches of Christ,sorely needs your help,your prayer,your sacrifice,and for this reasonmost humbly entreats you.First Urbi et Orbi message,October 17, 1978Copyright © 1993 by Libreria Editrice Rogate, English translation 2004 by Libreria Editrice Rogate