Bishop anoints patients at Mercy

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Posted February 20, 2003

Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo led a prayer service on Feb. 14 at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City in observance of World Day of the Sick.

The bishop told those gathered in the chapel at Mercy that on Tuesday, Feb. 11, the church celebrated World Day of the Sick which is on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

"The Holy Father said a number of years ago that it was the perfect day to remember those who are ill since Lourdes has become a veritable symbol, in its flowing waters, for those who approach in prayer frequently are brought to physical and certainly spiritual healing," said Bishop DiNardo in opening comments.

Those gathered at the chapel came together to celebrate the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

"Christ is always present when we gather in his name. This afternoon we welcome him especially as physician and healer. We pray that the sick may be restored to health by the gift of his mercy and made whole in his fullness," said the bishop.

Father Richard Sitzmann, chaplain at Mercy, read Matthew's Gospel centered on Jesus telling the people - all those who labor and are burdened - to come to him and he will give them rest.

In the homily, Bishop DiNardo pointed out this Gospel text is typically assigned to the day when a service is planned to anoint those who are ill. It is also the Gospel assigned to two feast days of the church - St. Francis of Assisi and St. Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower.

"My suspicion as to the reason why it is chosen on those days is that when you look at St. Francis and St. Therese, what is it that you notice about them? There is a freedom of openness to God's will. They saw the cross of Jesus as our opening into understanding God," said the bishop.

While Christ's words of comfort in Matthew's Gospel extend to all people who are "stressed", the bishop said they are especially meant "for those of you who suffer any physical or mental ailment - some impairment, sickness, weakness or vulnerability - that make us aware of our need for the Lord."

Bishop DiNardo told them that the sacrament of the anointing of the sick was the church's way of continuing the work of Jesus, who was the very sign of the presence of God.

"Today we gather, meek and humble of heart. Relying on the pure grace of the Holy Spirit, we will bless this oil and will anoint those sick here and throughout the hospital and we will say yes, Jesus Lord is present," he said.

Prior to anointing the people, both Bishop DiNardo and Father Sitzmann blessed them by administering the laying on of hands.