The Jubilee of the Sick and the World of Healthcare (April 5–6, 2025) was marked by a special event on April 3, 2025. The third day of the jubilee was dedicated to lay holiness and took place at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. The theme for the day was “Holiness and Healthcare Professions.”
The day commenced with a compelling talk by Monsignor Fabio Fabene, Secretary of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. He highlighted the rich history of charity within the Church, especially towards the sick and vulnerable. Caring for the sick has always been a fundamental aspect of the Christian mission, embodied by saints and blesseds who combined medical expertise with love. Figures like Vittorio Trancanelli, Ernesto Cofiño, Enzo Piccinini, Stanisława Leszczyńska, Jérôme Lejeune, and José Gálvez Ginachero exemplified this unique blend, providing not just medical care but also hope and light in times of illness.
Fr. Martín Luque, a professor at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, offered a theological perspective on the connection between holiness and healthcare professions. He emphasized the importance of service, meaning, and hope in the face of illness, highlighting the loneliness and fragility that often accompany sickness. The six venerables and Servants of God showed that caring for the sick is more than just a professional duty – it is a loving service that brings meaning and rekindles hope.
Chiara Mastroianni, a professor of Nursing Sciences, spoke passionately about palliative care as a holistic approach that transcends mere symptom management. According to Prof. Mastroianni, palliative care is an art that gives life value and meaning, even in the most challenging times.
Later in the day, a roundtable discussion was held featuring testimonies about the six venerables and Servants of God.
Enrico Solinas, the postulator for Vittorio Trancanelli’s beatification cause, described him as “the saint of the operating room,” highlighting his compassionate care for patients and deep faith.
Ernesto Cofiño, considered the father of pediatrics in Guatemala, was remembered by his postulator Fr. Santiago Callejo for his commitment to seeking solutions and upholding human dignity.
Chiara Piccinini, daughter of Enzo Piccinini, a general surgeon and Servant of God, shared her father’s inspiring story.
Stanisława Leszczyńska, a Polish midwife and Servant of God, was honored for her bravery during World War II, where she helped women give birth in a concentration camp.
The remarkable life of Jérôme Lejeune, a French doctor and geneticist, was celebrated for his dedication to children with Down syndrome and his defense of human dignity.
José Gálvez Ginachero, a Spanish doctor and social activist, was praised for his service and commitment to the poor, embodying his profession as a form of selfless service.
