Jubilee of the sick

Massimo Aquili

Promoted by the Pontifical Council for the pastoral of health, the “the Jubilee of the sick and healthcare workers” will be held between 9 and 12 February 2000. The programme is divided into three well-defined sections: the first for study; the second liturgical, presided over by the Holy Father; finally a feast of joy and hope. The reflection of 9 and 10 February will focus on the theme “The Catholic identity of healthcare workers in the face of the challenges of the third millennium”. The works of the conference, which will be attended by chaplains, doctors, nurses and pharmacists, with volunteers and a number of hospital administrators from all over the world, will take place first in groups and then in the general assembly. “WE have invited 72 bishops responsible for the pastoral of health – explained Mons. Javier Lozano Barragan, President of the Pontifical Council for the pastoral of health – to come to Rome with a sick person and a healthcare worker (a doctor or a nurse) totally at our expense. Three representatives for each country, whose air fares will be paid for by a sponsor”. The liturgical phase begins with the celebration that will take place on the afternoon of 10 February in the Basilica of Saint Paul outside the walls, presided over by Mons. Barragan. “We are expecting between 5,000 and 10,000 sick people, the bishop declared.