The Loving Heart

by Pope John Paul II

• ISBN13: 9780743444415
• ISBN10: 0743444418
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-04-05
• Publisher: Atria

Summary

THE LOVING HEART comprises the private prayers, beliefs and homilies of Pope John Paul II. This stirring book contains an abundance of hope and encouragement. Inspirational and broadly spiritual, this book focuses on prayer, and includes such topics as hope, peace, love, compassion, forgiveness, and spirituality. Beautifully packaged to match the past two volumes, this book is sure to be read the world over. An extraordinarily compassionate volume, THE LOVING HEART consists of excerpts from speeches addressed to sick people, many of them in hospitals or in places like leper colonies or gatherings at shrines, such as Lourdes. The title is taken from a particularly lyrical and sensitive prayer in which the Pope calls for those who have a loving heart to look after the sick. Embedded in this message of love is the message that sick people are closer to God and should look for meaning in their suffering. As the introduction puts it: 'Sick people and the world of suffering occupy a special place in John Paul II's heart.' Gorgeously packaged THE LOVING HEART will bring comfort and inspiration to readers the world over, especially to those who need it most.

Table of Contents

Introduction	ix
World Day of the Sick	1	(12)
The Pope in the Shadow of the Cross	13	(12)
I Count On You	25	(10)
Why Suffering?	35	(14)
Jesus Christ: Suffering Vanquished by Love	49	(12)
The Church and Those Who Suffer	61	(18)
The Gospel of Suffering	79	(18)
Suffering as Vocation	97	(12)
The Good Samaritan	109	(16)
The Prayer of the Sick	125	(24)
Mary- Health of the Sick	149	(18)
Do Not Forget the Sick	167

Excerpts

Chapter 1: World Day of the Sick Letter instituting the World Day of the SickA moment of prayer, sharing, and remembranceTo our reverend brotherCardinal Fiorenzo Angelini, president of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers Having favorably received the request from you, the above mentioned, as president of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, and also as representative of various Episcopal Conferences and national and international Catholic organizations, I wish to tell you that I have decided to establish a World Day of the Sick, to be celebrated every year on February 11, the liturgical commemoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes. In fact, I consider it opportune to extend to the whole ecclesial community an initiative that, already in force in some countries and regions, has produced pastoral fruit that is truly precious.The Church, which, following the example of Christ, has always recognized, throughout the centuries, the duty of service to the sick and the suffering as an integral part of its mission, is aware that "a fundamental motive of its mission today exists in giving a loving and generous welcome to every human life, above all those who are weak and sick."Furthermore, the Church consistently emphasizes the salvific nature of the offering of suffering, which, lived in communion with Christ, belongs to the very essence of redemption.The annual celebration of the World Day of the Sick therefore has the stated purpose of increasing the sensitivity of the People of God and, in consequence, of the many Catholic health-care facilities and of civil society itself to the need for insuring that the sick receive the best possible care; of helping those who are sick to value suffering, on the human and, above all, the supernatural level; of involving particularly the dioceses, the Christian communities, and religious Families in the health-care ministry; of remembering the importance of the spiritual and moral education of health-care workers; and, finally, of reminding both diocesan and regular priests, not to mention those who live and work with the sick, to understand the importance of religious help for the sick.Just as on the date of February 11, 1984, I published the Apostolic LetterSalvifici Dolorison the Christian meaning of human suffering and, the following year, instituted this Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers, so I consider it meaningful to establish the same day for the celebration of the World Day of the Sick. In fact, "together with Mary, the Mother of Christ, who was at the Cross, let us stop at all the crosses of mankind today." And Lourdes, one of the most beloved Marian sanctuaries of the Christian people, is the place and at the same time the symbol of hope and grace in the sign of acceptance of suffering and of offering it for salvation.I beg you, therefore, to bring to the attention of those in charge of the health-care ministry, in the bishops' conferences and in national and international organizations engaged in the vast network of health care, the institution of this World Day of the Sick, so that, in accord with local requirements and circumstances, its celebration may be properly carried out with the support of the entire People of God: priests, men and women religious, and lay faithful.To that purpose, it will be the concern of this Dicastery to promote and encourage timely initiatives, so that the World Day of the Sick may be a special time of prayer and sharing, of offering one's suffering for the good of the Church, and of reminding everyone to see in his sick brother or sister the Holy Face of Christ, who, by suffering, dying, and rising, achieved the salvation of mankind.While I hope for the full cooperation of all, so that this Day will have a strong start and r