By Carissa Krautscheid
On the feast of Saint Luke the Physician, Catholic doctors, nurses, and medical students gathered for the annual White Mass with Bishop Edward Weisenburger in Our Lady’s Chapel at Cathedral Square.
“The White Mass,” explains the Catholic Medical Association’s website, “is so named by the color worn by those in the healing profession of medicine, gathers health care professionals under the patronage of St. Luke to ask God’s blessing upon the patient doctor, nurse, and caregiver alike. The tradition of the White Mass in the United States finds its origins in the development of the national Catholic Medical Association in the early 1930s. From its inception, the medical profession has been understood as a healing profession, a way in which Christ’s work continues upon the earth.”
The White Mass was hosted by the Tucson Guild of the Catholic Medical. Catholic healthcare professionals in the Guild gather each month for prayer, fellowship, and discussions of best practice in line with Church Teaching.
The White Mass included prayer intentions for the work of all medical professionals, music that invited collaboration with God’s healing power, and the renewal of annual Catholic physicians’ promises.
“We pray for doctors because we appreciate what you do,” said Bishop Weisenburger in his homily. “We recognize that your work is critical to our world. When you stop and think of the foundation of culture and society, you always see first responders and healthcare workers. These fields, along with our Church, are the pillars of our society.”
Bishop Weisenburger shared that what he likes about the Gospel of Luke is that it is deeply concerned about prayer and focuses on individual encounters with Christ – which are the same qualities needed by Catholic medical professionals.
“A Catholic doctor sees Christ in each patient,” said Bishop Weisenburger. “For those in the medical world, it is critical that this is a vocation and not just a job; that we recognize Christ; and that we affirm the inherent dignity of every patient.”
Catholic doctors, nurses, and medical students enjoyed a reception afterwards with Bishop Weisenburger who thanked them for their dedicated faith and service, “We appreciate you so much and all you do for our world!”
If you know of Catholic doctors, nurses, or medical students in Tucson or the surrounding regions, please thank them for their witness of faithful practice and encourage them to make the most of the supportive faith community of the Catholic Medical Association by emailing [email protected].