May 10 is the Day of the Sick

On May 10, 2009, the Sunday of the Paralytic, our Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church will celebrate the Day of the Sick as part of the 17th World Day of the Sick. The purpose of celebrating the Day of the Sick is to turn the attention of the Christian community and all society to sick people, their families, and those who ease their suffering, in particular, medical personnel and volunteers. This year in his Message on the Occasion of World Day of the Sick His Holiness Benedict XVI turns his attention to children who suffer from different illnesses. Considering this, the Commission of the UGCC on Pastoral Health Care asks all believers and all people of good will to join in this day in the general prayer and the events which aim to turn special attention to sick children in Ukraine. We hope that with joint prayer and acts of mercy we will demonstrate our support to all those who need our help. 

Commission of the UGCC on Pastoral Health Care

 Information: The Catholic Church annually celebrates World Day of the Sick on February 11. Some bishops’ conferences, considering practical problems (climatic conditions, seasonal difficulties, church holidays), agreed that prayer for the sick on February 11 would be a symbol of the unity of the Universal Church, but the celebration of the Day of the Sick can be held at a favorable time which will take into account the active participation of the sick. According to the Decision of an Extraordinary Synod of the Bishops of the Kyiv-Halych Major Archbishopric of the UGCC of January 16, 2006, annually in the Kyiv-Halych Major Archbishopric the Day of the Sick is celebrated on the Sunday of the Paralytic.