PRAYER OF THE CATHOLIC PHYSICIAN
Lord Jesus,
Divine Physician, who in your earthly life showed special concern
for those who suffer and entrusted to your disciples the ministry
of healing, make us ever ready to alleviate the trials of our
brethren. Make each one of us, aware of the great mission that
is entrusted to him, strive always to be, in the performance
of daily service, an instrument of your merciful love. Enlighten
our minds, guide our hands, make our hearts diligent and compassionate.
Ensure that in every patient we know how to discern the features
of your divine Face.
You who are the Way, provide us with the gift of knowing how to
imitate you every day as medical doctors not only of the body but
of the whole person, helping those who are sick to tread with trust
their own earthly path until the moment of their encounter with
You.
You who are the Truth, provide us with the gift of wisdom and science
in order to penetrate the mystery of the human person and their
transcendent destiny as we draw near to them in order to discover
the causes of their maladies and find suitable remedies.
You who are the Life, provide us with the gift of preaching and
bearing witness to the 'Gospel of life' in our profession, committing
ourselves to defending it always, from conception to its natural
end, and to respect the dignity of every human being, and especially
the dignity of the weakest and the most in need.
Make us O Lord, Good Samaritans, ready to welcome, treat, and console
those we encounter in our work. Following the example of the holy
medical doctors who have preceded us, help us to offer our generous
contribution to the constant renewal of health care structures.
Bless our studies and our profession, enlighten our research and
our teaching. Lastly, grant to us, having constantly loved and
served You in our suffering brethren, that at the end of our earthly
pilgrimage we may contemplate your glorious countenance and experience
the joy of the encounter with You in your Kingdom of joy and everlasting
peace.
Amen.
The Vatican, 29 June 2000
John Paul II
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