White Mass honors Our Lady of Lourdes, health professionals
By Marty Denzer
Catholic Key Reporter
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Wearing white and blue Marian vestments in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes, Bishop Robert Finn and Bishop Emeritus Raymond Boland of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph and Archbishop Joseph Naumann and Archbishop Emeritus James Keleher of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas entered the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception here through an honor guard of the Knights of Columbus to concelebrate the area’s first White Mass, a votive Mass of Our Lady of Lourdes, patroness of the medical profession, on Feb. 15.
About 200 people attended the Mass, named for the white coats and uniforms traditionally worn by health care professionals.
In the United States, the White Mass is celebrated close to Feb. 11, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the World Day of the Sick. (It may also be celebrated in September, near the feasts of Sts. Cosmas and Damian or in October near the feast of St. Luke.) The Mass also honors hospital staff, pharmacists, mental health specialists, hospice workers, medical students and pastoral care workers.
Bishop Finn was the principal celebrant and Archbishop Naumann was the homilist. In his homily, the archbishop commented that the formation of the guild of the Catholic Medical Association in the Kansas City metropolitan area coincided with the country’s “almost singular concentration” on health care reform.
“It has been fascinating and, at times, frightening to watch the debate on health care reform unfold over the past year,” Archbishop Naumann said.
He went on to say that the “health care reform debate has made one thing clear — namely, how important the medical profession is to all of us. What you have chosen to devote your professional life to responds to one of the greatest human needs.”
The archbishop said that the rigorous academic program that is required of students preparing to serve as a doctor or nurse reflects the high priority and importance society places upon the medical profession.
“Sadly, for some, this intensive education in medicine and science has caused them to lose faith. It is a temptation, an occupational hazard, to become so enamored with the capacity of scientific knowledge and with one’s own capabilities, to mistakenly conclude God is no longer necessary.
“Yet, if one’s heart and mind are open to it, the study and practice of medicine lead to a deeper reverence and awe for God and his creation. Hopefully, in your work in caring for the human body, even when . . . diseased, aged and/or sometimes broken, you are often struck with wonder and awe at the incredible ingenuity found in the human design.”
The readings for the White Mass were those suggested for the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Since Mary’s appearance more than 150 years ago, Lourdes has been a place where Jesus continues his healing ministry even now, Archbishop Naumann said.
“It is a marvelous occurrence when God intervenes,” he told the assembled health care professionals, “and heals an individual in a way for which there is no medical explanation. However, it is no less marvelous when the Lord uses the human instrument of a doctor to effect his healing by an accurate diagnosis of the cause of the disease and recommends the appropriate treatment or performs the necessary surgery to bring about healing.”
The archbishop likened the role of doctors and medical professionals to that of the stewards in the Gospel of the wedding feast at Cana.
“Essentially, you are called to strive in your professional and personal life to do whatever the Son of Mary tells you,” the archbishop said. “Somehow, you heard Jesus instruct you to study the science and art of medicine. Sometimes, perhaps oftentimes, in your practice of medicine you are not certain what is best for your patients. Hopefully, these challenges are moments that drive you to pray for the Lord to guide your decisions.”
“Part of what the Lord is telling you to do today is to be witnesses of the truth to your profession,” Archbishop Naumann continued, “by holding yourself to the highest ethical standards and by listening carefully to the voice of the Lord. . . . You are being asked to have a faith greater than that required of the stewards approaching the headwaiter as you stand against often the seemingly powerful established medical culture: 1) in affirming the sanctity of human life, both in its earliest stages and its final earthly days; 2) in upholding a medical ethic that respects the dignity of the human person over research objectives; 3) in seeking the best care of the patient over cost efficiencies; 4) in giving some of your precious time, treasure and talent in serving those in need; and 5) in refusing to do what may be scientifically possible, but is morally not permissible.”
“The Lord is calling you, asking you, instructing you to be heralds of the Gospel in your profession,” he concluded.
A reception in Donnelly Hall followed the Mass.