World Day of the Sick: 'Time spent with the sick is holy time'

Editor: Today, 11 February, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, is World Day of the Sick. Today offers us an invitation to pray with those suffering with illness or frailty and an opportunity to give thanks for those who provide care to them. The title of our Feature this week—'Time spent with the sick is holy time'—comes from Pope Francis’ message for today. His message is linked to this item (below).

We invited some of our Sisters and Partners-in-ministry to share with us from their experiences of being engaged in the ministry of healing. In this week's issue of Mercy eNews (#607), linked here, you will read examples of traditional medical practices, complementary therapies and tools for wellness being used across the globe as Mercy people seek to give 'in the care of the sick, great tenderness above all things' (Catherine McAuley).

These stories are just some of the many ways Mercy works to bring healing and hope to people experiencing a time of suffering or frailty:

• 'A Ministry Which Brings Me Much Joy' (Newfoundland)
• 'Mission is the pou or ridgepole of the house' (ANZ)
• 'A Prayer of Gratitude to God for the Gift of this Ministry' (Americas)
• Capacitar: A Pathway towards Healing and Transformation (The Congregation)
• 'Emotionally challenging experiences but always moments of grace' (GB Institute)
• 'Healing is an active process not a passive event' (Parramatta Congregation)
• 'It's home from home for me and I love every minute of it' (GB Union)
• 'Gazing creatively is another way of choosing life' (Americas)
• The Ministry of Pastoral Psychotheraphy (Americas)
• 'The way we deliver healthcare can bridge many chasms & contribute to a greater common good for community' (Brisbane Congregation)
• Deep Listening: The Healing Ministry of Compassion (Americas)
• 'Participating in Christ’s work of healing in God’s kingdom' (ISMAPNG)
• 'To give space for the story to be told so as to enable healing' (The Congregation)
• 'Wellbeing: the goal of healing ministry' (Brisbane Congregation)

We welcome your story of your healing ministry for publication in a future edition of Mercy Enews.

Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA

Image: 'Willing Hands', also known as 'Sisters of Mercy', painted in 1900. This painting hangs in the convent parlour at the Convent of Mercy Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia, the first foundation made in Victoria by Ursula Frayne (1816-1885). The artist  was John Hennessy (1872-1943). He was based in Melbourne, Victoria and exhibited at the Victorian Art Society (1900-1915). In 1907 he designed the school crest for the Academy of Mary Immaculate, Fitzroy, the school opened by Ursula Frayne shortly after her arrival in 1857. Photo used with permission.