As Rosemary Marx sat in the chapel at the St. Cloud Hospital, she remembered how, as a young nursing student, she started every day with Mass there.
“This chapel has been a part of my life for a long, long time,” she said. “It’s a peaceful place to come and just sit and pray. It’s soothing, it’s healing.”
Now retired from her career in nursing, she was back in the hospital’s chapel Feb. 14 to attend a healing Mass celebrated by Bishop Patrick Neary to commemorate the World Day of the Sick.
Marx, a member of St. Paul Parish in St. Cloud, joined others as they were invited to come forward for the anointing of the sick during Mass.
“I like the healing services, there’s a real sense of peace,” she said. “It just makes me feel good spiritually and I need that in my life.”
The World Day of the Sick Mass was the culmination of “Living the Mission Week,” an annual celebration of the St. Cloud Hospital’s Catholic heritage.
“Celebrating our heritage in conjunction with the World Day of the Sick connects our mission as a hospital to the broader healing mission of the global Church,” said Rebecca Calderone, the hospital’s director of Catholic mission.
During the week, the team celebrated the values of the Benedictine sisters who founded the hospital in 1886, and also acknowledge the needs of the sick throughout the world and pray for all those who work in healthcare or serve as caregivers, she said.
“’Living the Mission Week’ is about drawing on the inspiration of those who founded us and celebrating the fact that our Catholic affiliation is alive and vibrant,” said Calderone. “Doing this keeps us grounded in our deep commitment, as St. Benedict said, that ‘guests shall be received as Christ’ and that ‘care of the sick must rank above and before all else so that they may truly be served as Christ.’”
The healing Mass was broadcast to patient rooms and could be viewed around the hospital, so many of those watching or attending in person were current hospital staff.
“Thank you for being here and thank you for being angels of hope,” Bishop Neary told them during his homily. “Only in heaven will you finally see how God used you to touch the body of Christ in those who were sick. Your presence, your compassion and kindness, your gifts, your faith and love, are powerful beams of light that bring healing grace to all in your care. You who care for the suffering play a special and important part in this Jubilee Year of Hope.”
The celebration of “Living the Mission Week” varies from year to year, but generally includes articles or videos for employees highlighting the hospital’s heritage and speaking to what it means to work in a Catholic organization, Calderone said. This year’s celebration also included Mission Trivia, passing out packets of Mission Matters M&Ms and the Big Smile award, given to three recipients each year who exemplify Benedictine hospitality in their work.
“It’s important for us to celebrate ‘Living the Mission Week,’” said Donna Gregory, an oncology nurse who was a reader for the Mass. “We share our compassion and Christ-like love with our patients and staff and everyone.”
Photos: World Day of the Sick Mass
