John Paul II – World Day of the Sick 2004 Message: Lourdes: Mary, Mother of the Sick
The Message of Pope John Paul II for the 12th World Day of the Sick (February 11, 2004), centered on Our Lady of Lourdes, is the last major text on the pastoral care of the sick from his pontificate. Text in Enchiridion Vaticanum vol. 22 (2003-2004), paragraphs 1230-1235+.
| Collection | Enchiridion Vaticanum vol. 22, paragraphs 1230-1235 |
| Pope | John Paul II |
| Document | Message for the 12th World Day of the Sick (Lourdes 2004) |
| Date | Published in advance for February 11, 2004 |
| Theme | Lourdes and the transformation of suffering through Marian faith |
Italian Text, n. 1230
The message that the Sanctuary of Lourdes constantly proposes to devotees and pilgrims. This is also the meaning of the physical and spiritual healings that are recorded at the Grotto of Massabielle.
Dal giorno dell’apparizione a Bernadetta Soubirous, Maria in quel luogo ha «curato» dolori e malattie, restituendo a tanti dei suoi figli anche la salute del corpo. Prodigi, pero, ben piu sorprendenti ha operato nell’animo dei credenti, aprendo il loro animo all’incontro con il suo figlio Gesù, risposta vera alle attese più profonde del cuore umano.
Portuguese Translation, n. 1230
The message that the Sanctuary of Lourdes constantly proposes to devotees and pilgrims. This is also the meaning of the physical and spiritual healings that are recorded in the grotto of Massabielle.
Desde o dia da aparição a Bernadette Soubirous, Maria naquele lugar tem «curado» dores e doenças, devolvendo a tantos dos seus filhos também a saúde do corpo. Prodígios, contudo, bem mais surpreendentes operou no ânimo dos fiéis, abrindo o seu coração ao encontro com o seu Filho Jesus, resposta verdadeira às expectativas mais profundas do coração humano.
n. 1231: The Action of the Holy Spirit in Lourdes
The Holy Spirit, who covers her with His shadow at the moment of the Incarnation of the Word, transforms the hearts of countless sick people who turn to her. Even when they do not receive the gift of bodily health, they can always receive another one even more important: the conversion of the heart, source of peace and inner joy. This gift transforms their existence and makes them apostles of the cross of Christ, banner of hope, even amid the hardest and most difficult trials.
The Holy Spirit, who overshadowed her at the moment of the Incarnation of the Word, transforms the souls of innumerable sick people who turn to her. Even when they do not receive the gift of bodily health, they can always obtain another good more important: the conversion of the heart, source of peace and inner joy. This gift transforms their existence and makes them apostles of the cross of Christ, standard of hope, even among the hardest and most difficult trials.
n. 1232: Connection with Salvifici Doloris
In the apostolic letter Salvifici doloris I observed that suffering belongs to the historical journey of man…
English: In the Apostolic Letter Salvifici Doloris, he observed that suffering belongs to the historical vicissitude of man…
World Day of the Sick
The World Day of the Sick was established by Saint John Paul II on May 13, 1992, with a fixed date of February 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The establishment occurred on the 50th anniversary of the apparitions of February 11, 1858. Each year the Pope publishes a Message for this day, always linking it to Lourdes and Mary as Mother of the Sick.
The Message of 2004 is particularly significant because it was written in proximity to the 150th anniversary of the definition of the Immaculate Conception (December 8, 1854) and near the death of John Paul II (April 2, 2005), who was then 84 years old and suffering from a weakened health.
Theological Connection Between Lourdes, Immaculate Conception, and Suffering
John Paul II articulates three points:
- Marian Identity: Mary of Lourdes presents herself as the Immaculate Conception, four years after the papal definition of 1854.
- Immaculate as Cause of Salvation: The Immaculate is “the cause of our joy” (Loreto Litany), present in the sick and suffering.
- Cross and Lourdes: Lourdes is not a flight from suffering but an illumination of suffering through faith.
Legacy for the Pastoral Care of the Sick
John Paul II, especially in his last years with the visible Parkinson’s disease, became himself a witness to illuminated suffering by faith. His pastoral visit to Lourdes on August 14-15, 2004, one year after this Message, was his last international visit, marked by a strong physical fragility that the Pope transformed into testimony.
Further Reading
Salvifici Doloris | Indulgence for the 150th Anniversary of Lourdes 2008 | Le Pelerinage de Lourdes 1957 | Marian Apparitions | Benedict XVI in Lourdes 2008
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