by Cori Hilsgen
news@the newsleaders.com
Physicians, health-care professionals and medical workers play a tremendous role helping maintain good health in for many people in their lives.
A Catholic Mass honoring medical professionals and workers will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, at the Sacred Heart Chapel at St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph.
The Mass is for health-care workers of all faiths. Family and friends are also invited to attend the event.
The Rev. Tom Knobloch, diocesan consultant for health-care ethics, will preside at the Mass and there will be a special blessing for health-care professionals. The St. Benedict’s Monastery Schola will lead music.
According to the St. Cloud Diocese’s website, the “White” Mass acknowledges the unique contributions made by health-care professionals and their commitment to their faith and profession.
The name of the Mass originated from the white coat usually worn by those in the medical field.
There are 24 Catholic-sponsored hospitals, nursing homes and assisted-living residences in the St. Cloud diocese. The Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict founded St. Cloud Hospital in 1886 and St. Cloud School of Nursing in 1908. They also founded schools for X-ray technology, anesthesiology, laboratory technology, the St. Benedict’s Senior Community nursing home and developed a four-year registered nursing degree through the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University.
Annette Jesh, parish health-ministries program coordinator for CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital, said this is the fourth year the Mass has been held.
“It is held close to the Feast of St. Luke, which was Oct. 18 this year,” Jesh said. “As a physician, St. Luke is the patron saint of the medical profession.”
The event is sponsored by the Diocese of St. Cloud, Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict, St. Cloud Hospital and St. Benedict Senior Community-St. Cloud in partnership with the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University.
A light reception will be held after the Mass in the Sacred Heart gathering space.
