Vatican City, Dec 15, 2016 / 10:04 am
Pope Francis on Thursday announced the theme for the 25th World Day of the Sick, "Amazement at what God has accomplished," explaining that in difficult circumstances we should look to Mary as an example of how to embrace God's will for our lives.
"I encourage all of you," he said Dec. 15, "the sick, the suffering, physicians, nurses, family members and volunteers, to see in Mary, Health of the Infirm, the sure sign of God's love for every human being and a model of surrender to his will."
"May you always find in faith, nourished by the Word and by the Sacraments, the strength needed to love God, even in the experience of illness."
Instituted by St. John Paul II in 1992 – and first celebrated at Lourdes Feb. 11, 1993 – this year's theme for the World Day of the Sick centers on a line from the Magnificat: "the Almighty has done great things for me."