Solemnity of All Saints
Revelations 7:2-4.9-14; I John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a
Today we celebrate all holy men and women who enjoy the
blessings of eternal life. The majority
of declared saints are probably priests and religious. However, the company of saints includes people
of different professions, nations, and social classes. Let us focus today on saints who were doctors
or healers.
There is biblical evidence that Luke, the author of the
third gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, was a physician. In many cities today the medical profession
gathers for the Eucharist on October 18, the feast day of Saint Luke.
Not much is known for certain of Saints Cosmas and Damian except
that they were martyred in Syria in the early fourth century. According to one legend they were physicians
who never accepted fees for their healing services. They are also considered the patrons of
doctors.
In contrast to Cosmas and Damian, much is known of Saint Gianna
Beretta Molla, a twentieth century Italian pediatrician, wife, and mother. During her fourth pregnancy, she was diagnosed
with fibroma on her uterus. Her doctors gave
her three choices: abortion, removal of the uterus, or removal of the
fibroma. She opted for the last choice to
give her child the best chance of survival.
The child was born, but the mother died of complications a week later.
Saint Martin de Porres did not attend medical school, but he
was knowledgeable of medicinal healings with plants and herbs. He was also considered a surgeon by reason of
having apprenticed with a barber in colonial Peru. He attended many of Lima’s sick and injured
people as well as the friars of the Dominican priory where he lived.
All saints are healers in a way. They guide us to overcome or avoid spiritual
injury as they pray for our integral well-being.
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