Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Kathleen Murphy reflects on Pope Leo XIV’s monthly prayer intention that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.
As we begin this new month of February, during what is proving to be a very frigid season, let us make a warm and touching part of our communal heritage our focal point in considering the Holy Father’s prayer intention. Outside our Health Clinic hangs a beautiful painting by our Sister Benjamin portraying Jesus’ healing of the Phoenician woman’s daughter. The compassion of Jesus and the relief of a worried mother, as well as the weakness of an ill child are all on display in this treasured piece of art. We all know this scriptural story so well. The mother is insistent as she requests the healing help of Jesus. The rather harried Jesus is equally insistent that foreigners do not have the same right to expect healing as do God’s chosen people. Pope Leo asks us to pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope. He seems to be asking us to open our eyes, hearts and prayerful support to families and children just like those in the painting. How can we grow in awareness and sensitivity of these suffering ones? Let us consider some resources and organizations that will help us to pray with greater understanding.
The group’s mission statement reads:
To answer the call of Jesus Christ in Luke 10:9, when He said, “cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”
Their website lists critical life-affirming healthcare services which they provide on a national scale.
CHA offers a wealth of information in general which can be perused, but this site offers some state specific statistics as well as a listing of Catholic member hospitals throughout Wisconsin.
This group offers, what seems to be a service reminiscent of the practices of the Early Church in the area of holding all things in common. In their statement of Ethical Approach we read: At Solidarity, we believe in the power of community and compassion. Our program is built on the Catholic principles of solidarity (that’s where we got the name!) and subsidiarity. Our Members come together to share in each other’s medical expenses, without sacrificing their conscience along the way. For a comparatively modest monthly fee, members will receive help with a broad range of personal and family health expenses paid out of the common coffers of the organization.
Though this service branch of our Church has many areas of concern, you may wish to look at the information listed under Pregnancy and Adoption Support to get a sense of some of the work that is being done on behalf of children and families.
Perhaps we can conclude our reflections on this month’s prayer intention with some thoughts from essayist Masha Goepel in an article found in Catholic Stand from January 21, 2023. She writes:
The Infant of Prague is a patron of children and childhood as well as financial security and desperate situations. For a lot of people today, children and desperate situations are practically synonymous. Everything from infertility and miscarriage to childhood cancer and mental illness are all around us. Sometimes they seem to be skyrocketing. Both physically and mentally, most people agree that kids today are less healthy than their parents and grandparents were at the same age. When I hear that the children’s psychological ward at my local hospital is full for the season and the family down the street is sick for the 3rd time in three months, I can’t help but worry. My children’s generation is said to be the first in recent history to have a lower life expectancy than their parents. That is a disturbing thought.
So, naturally, I turn to the Infant of Prague. Miraculous, wonder-working Infant who loves children and says to His followers, “Unless you … become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).
Let us pray, Holy Infant Jesus of Prague, bless and protect us and all your little ones in need.
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