February 11.   Our Lady of Lourdes.  Day of Prayer for the Sick. Jim and Joan had been married for some years when after much prayer they were finally blessed with a pregnancy. They were shocked when told that she could be born with Down’s syndrome and could be a burden for them all their lives. It took time for them to decide what to do, even as they considered an abortion, as some parents chose to do. But they hoped and prayed even harder.“Let us go to Lourdes as we have been wanting to do for some time and ask Our Lady to heal our infant and our pain too.”  Their pilgrimage was supported by their wider family and everyone was delighted when not long after their return a bright, bouncing, baby girl was born.

Reflect, share. Scripture: Genesis 1: 20 – 2-4a.  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.  And God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”  Pope Francis.   Expectant parents need to ask God for the wisdom fully to know their children and to accept them as they are. AL 170. JUBILEE.  The Christian community should be at the forefront in pointing out the need to support and foster hope in the area of transmission of life, working for a future filled with the laughter of babies and children in order to fill the empty cradles in so many parts of the world. SNC 9. Prayer and action.  On this Day of Prayer for the Sick, let us remember that ‘hope does not disappoint’ (Romans 5:5), but strengthens us in times of trial; let us lift up our prayers for those facing illness, offering them comfort, compassion, and the unwavering belief that God is with them in their suffering.”.   Thank God for the gift of your and all children and choose appropriate action.