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A reflection by Fr. Oscar Pezzarini, director of Cottolengo Don Orione in Claypole and Economist and General Commissioner of the Work of Don Orione

Father Oscar Pezzarini

"Physical, psychic, or spiritual pain has the meaning of sharing Christ's very own suffering"

With only a few hours to go until the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Father Oscar quoted the Pope's message at the World Day of the Sick. He said that pain is not in vain and prayed to God that through the test of pain we come closer to Him and to our brethren.

Buenos Aires, Sunday, February 9, 2003.- With only a few hours to go until the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the XI World Day of the Sick instituted by the Pope, Father Oscar Pezzarini, in charge of the weekly comment in "La Manga", Fr. Julio Grassi's radio program (Radio Rivadavia -AM 630 kHz- Sundays from 2 to 5 a.m.) held tonight that "when someone is able to offer his pain he gets together with Jesus Himself".

"Pain is not in vain", sustained the Economist and General Commissioner of the Work of Don Orione.

"On the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes which is celebrated every February 11th, both in France and in our country thousands and thousands of pilgrims attend church to pray to her and to make offerings to her particularly in health issues."

"Eleven years ago Pope John Paul II established this day as the World Day of the Sick. Just a few hours ago a message of the Pope was published, in which he remembers all Catholics not to forget to keep company and to carry a message of hope to those who are having a hard time because of their health."

"The Pope sustained that as members of the Church and acknowledging the presence of Our Lord in many brethren affected by pain we must make an effort to bring them the joyous message of the Gospel and offer believable signs of love" said Father Oscar as he quoted the Pontifex.

"He also sustained that there are many questions on pain and death which are lived dramatically in the heart of men, and that the secularized world tries to elude or ignore man's suffering."

"John Paul II also refers to the American continent and to many regions of the world. He states that a model of society is profiling in which the mighty dominate, setting apart and striking out the weakest and among them the unborn children which are victims of abortion, elderly people and the incurable sick which are subject to euthanasia, and so many others set apart by consumerism and materialism. One can also add those who suffer because of wars and of possible wars, and because of social and political situations in our countries like Venezuela and Colombia" remarked the General Commissioner and Economist of the Work of Don Orione.

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