Celebrating the World Day of the Sick in Calcutta

From 8 to 12 February of this year, a Delegation from the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, led by the Cardinal Prefect, Peter K.A. Turkson, will travel to Calcutta (India) to take part in a solemn celebration of the XXVII World Day of the Sick which is traditionally celebrated on 11 February, the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes and which is observed simultaneously in all dioceses throughout the world.  The Universal Church, following the example of the good Samaritan, bends attentively over the sick and those who are suffering in order to share with them a message of hope and salvation.

The delegation will act as the spokesman for the Pope's Message for this Day, focused on the theme: You have received freely, therefore give freely (Mt 10:8).

In a country that has been affected by strong inequalities, extreme poverty and sanitary conditions which are - in many cases - precarious, the Church wishes to demonstrate her concern for the sick, those who are suffering, the poor and those who are excluded, enlightened by the experience of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who was recognized as a Saint on 4 September 2016.

Together with the delegation, His Eminence, Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario, CSC, Archbishop of Dhaka and Special Envoy of the Pope for this celebration will also be in attendance, along with His Excellency, Thomas D'Souza, Archbishop of Calcutta and His Excellency, Prakash Mallavarapu, Archbishop of Visakhapatnam and President of the Indian Episcopal Conference's Commission for Health.

On the first day, the Delegation will participate in a study conference dedicated to the theological fundamentals of health care pastoral work, to the New Charter for Health Care Workers and to the new frontiers of service to the marginalized poor.  They will then go to the tomb of Mother Teresa, located in the Mother House of the Sisters of Charity; there, the Archbishop of Calcutta, His Excellency, Thomas D'Souza will preside at the celebration of the Holy Mass.

The second day will involve visits to three care centres in Calcutta which are administered by the local Church - Shanti Dam, Prem Dam and Saint Joseph's Home - which is run by the Religious Congregations of the Missionaries of Charity and the Little Sisters of the Poor, who are involved in providing health care for those who are sick, poor and abandoned, with particular attention paid to women who are affected by mental illness.  In the afternoon, Cardinal Peter K.A. Turkson will preside at a Mass including the Anointing of the Sick which will take place near Saint Xavier's College in Calcutta.

The programme also includes a meeting with delegates for the pastoral care of health workers, part of the Episcopal Conferences of Asia.

On 11 February, at the Basilica of the Holy Rosary in Bandel, there will be a solemn celebration marking the XXVII World Day of the Sick.  The Mass will be presided over by Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario.  The Mass will be followed by the celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.