World Day of Sick: The economic crisis calls us to be Good Samaritans

January 29, 2013. (Romereports.com) On Tuesday, the Vatican issued the Pope´s message for World Day of the Sick, which will take place this year on February 11, 2013 at the Marian Shrine of Altotting in Bavaria.

Through his message, Benedict XVI encourages people to become a Good Samaritan, citing Jesus as the ultimate example of a person who helps total strangers and asks nothing in return.

The prsident of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Care Workers, says being a Good Samaritan is more important now than ever, given the current economic instability.

MSGR. ZYGMUNT ZIMOWSKI
President, Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers
 “Volunteering is also very important in many countries, especially today with the crisis. We can't finance everything for everybody, but we can offer ourselves to others. This, I think, is the definition of being a Good Samaritan. That message of 'go and do likewise.'”

This year´s event will take place in the Pope's native Germany. In addition, sick patients and medical personnel attending the event, directly or from a distance, will be granted indulgences.