AAS 80 - La Santa Sede

Acta Ioannis Pauli Pp. II 775
Catholic Charities and all its colleague associations have lent God
their own flesh—their hands and feet and hearts—so that his work
may be done in our world. For your long and persevering service
—creative and courageous, and blind to distinctions of race or religion—
you will certainly hear Jesus' words of gratitude : "you did it for me". 19
Gather, transform and serve ! When done in the name of Jesus
Christ, this is the spirit of Catholic Charities and of all who work
in this cause, because it is the faithful following of the One who did
"not come to be served but to serve". 20 By working for a society which
fosters the dignity of every human person, not only are you serving
the poor, but you are renewing the founding vision of this nation
under God! And may God reward you abundantly !
* * *.
Phoenici, ad valetudinis administros coram admissos.*
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Leaders in Catholic Health Care,
1. In the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ I greet you and
thank you for your warm welcome. This meeting gives us the
opportunity to honor and give thanks to God for one of the most
extensive and fundamental works of the Catholic Church in the United
States—all that is embraced in the term "Catholic health care". I am
pleased to be able to express to you who represent so many of your
country's health care organizations the esteem, support and solidarity
of the whole Church. In you, Jesus Christ continues his healing
ministry, "curing the people of every disease and illness". 1
This is the high dignity to which you and your colleagues are
called. This is your vocation, your commitment, and the path of your
specific witness to the présence of God's Kingdom in the world. Your
health care ministry, pioneered and developed by Congrégations of
women Religious and by Congrégations of Brothers, is one of the most
vital apostolates of the ecclesial community and one of the most
significant services which the Catholic Church offers to society in the
19 Mt 25:40.
20 Mk 10:45.
* Die 14 m. Septembris a. 1987.
1 Of. Mt 4:23.