February: World Day of the Sick, Valentine's Day, Black History Month and Mary.

February has gained popularity in secular culture as a month for the celebration of love. Every year, there is heightened and anticipated excitement, call it hype of February 14th celebrated as Valentine's Day, Lovers Day. It is an eminently Catholic feast. St Valentine even though appropriated or rather misappropriated and the “St” prefix dropped. And as is the case with such popular feasts, there is a designated color, red, the color of the rose. The color, red is so valorized and its deep religious overtones speak of blood hardly emphasized. As a Catholic then this is a celebration of love, the love of Christ who so loved the world that he died by shedding his blood to save us as witnessed to by St Valentine who died as a martyr.

One other often less hyped day is 11th February on which the Church celebrates World Day of the sick. Instituted by St Pope John Paul II in 1992, it is a special day to pray for and with those who are ill. In its inner logic, it serves to draw attention to the fact of “Salvifici Doloris - the salvific value of suffering which is the title of Pope John Paul II's reflection on the perennial problem of evil. Illness is an inescapable human condition which makes a demand on our faith. How to make meaning of the pain and suffering, illness brings especially terminal illness is the guiding principle underlining this celebration. The theme for this year, the 33rd anniversary of this celebration is: Hope does not disappoint (Romans 5:5) indeed, it strengthens us in times of trial. 

February is traditionally celebrated in the United States of America as Black History Month. At a time when the country is called to be race neutral or “color blind,” the sordid history of this country with respect to racism cries out loud. The value of this history is not to shame one group but rather  prevent it from repeating itself again. With the current efforts against Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, it is imperative for us to pray for a change of heart. Racism is real and no amount of sanitizing or attempting to glide over it, can make it either way. Our blessed Mother understood something about diversity and that's why she has often appeared to different persons in a manner reflective of their cultural ethos. It takes a lot of humility to acknowledge the contributions of Blacks in America. In their pastoral letter against racism in 2018, the Catholic Bishops of the United States of America chose as theme: Open Wide Our hearts: The Enduring Call To Love sums up beautifully the tenor of the celebration. The Immaculate Heart of Mary is wide inviting us all to follow her example and love all irrespective of race. 

One of the popular Marian apparitions, Our Lady of Lourdes is celebrated annually on February 11. At the intersection of love, illness and racism we find Mary. She is Mother most amiable, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners and Comforter of the Afflicted. From the Immaculate Heart of Mary flows true love. In the face of the “sickness of love” - with many love relationships perilously sick and desperately need of healing, Mary awaits us and intercedes for us. At Lourdes, she introduced herself to the 14 year old Bernadette Soubirou as “The Immaculate Conception” and called for prayer and repentance and at her direction, fountain of healing water sprang forth. Since then many have have found cure and healing of their physical illnesses. Lourdes has become a prominent pilgrimage destination. 

During this month then, let us celebrate love and wellness. How can we become more loving, healing past hurts and repenting of our sins against love? The range of emotional and psychological traumas people are enduring are not unrelated to love or rather lovelessness. Mary comforts us through the epidemic of hate and pandemic of loneliness so prevalent in our communities. Let us reflect and pray on what it means to be ill and pray for and with those who are ill. Let us pray for healing through the intercession of Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes. 

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