Dianne Johnson
Retired registered nurse Dianne Johnson joined “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley Feb. 5 to discuss the upcoming World Day of the Sick Mass. Archbishop Bernard Hebda will celebrate the Mass Saturday, Feb. 13, at St. Agnes in St. Paul.
This year’s Mass, “unfortunately,” will only be livestreamed, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Johnson said. “We made the hard decision because we knew from past years so many of the sick would come because of all the glories of that Mass. … The Order of Malta brings holy water from Lourdes as a special blessing, and it’s truly for me and many others who come … a great, grace-filled” Mass.
There is something profound about being with people who are sick, praying together at the same time with people providing health care, Johnson said. “It’s just so unifying.”
Johnson worked in health care for 44 years. About 20 years ago, she founded the Curatio apostolate, which helps multi-disciplinary health care professionals integrate their faith with their professional responsibilities.
Conley asked Johnson if she has noticed any spiritual transformation in health care workers she knows because of the pandemic and the risks involved. Johnson said there appears to be an increased depth of understanding of what they’re doing. The fear dissipates as people learn more about how the virus is transmitted and how to protect against it, she added.
“And … I don’t have any scientific evidence, but I would say there’s an increase in interest, trust, in spirituality and reliance on God,” Johnson said. “I think that part of what God is doing is saying: ‘Please, please rely on me.’”
That urging includes an encouragement to continue working, praying and maintaining a good relationship with Jesus, and all will be well, Johnson said.
“I think the coolest thing about World Day of the Sick is that, from the chute, when … St. John Paul II instituted this, it was based on the fact of a good relationship with Jesus and … the sacraments and that we needed to remember that we in health care are acting ‘in persona,’ and not as priests, but carrying on his mission in taking care of the sick, and that the sick are Christ.”
To watch the livestream of the World Day of the Sick Mass at St. Agnes in St. Paul at 10 a.m. Feb. 13, visit curatioapostolate.com. The website includes the prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes and Pope Francis’ message for the 2021 World Day of the Sick.
To learn more about the special Mass and the Curatio apostolate, tune in at 9 p.m. Feb. 5 at Relevant Radio 1330 AM. Or listen to the show through one of the links below.
“Practicing Catholic” is produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Other guest interviews on the Feb. 5 “Practicing Catholic” show are Sister Esther Mary Nickel, who discusses both the ordained and baptized priesthood, and Susanna Spencer, who describes a Blessed Is She Lenten devotional.
Listen to their interviews after they have aired:
soundcloud.com/practicingcatholic
Practicing Catholic on Spotify
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