Bishop Stephen J. Berg presided over the White Mass on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.
The White Mass is named for the white coats traditionally worn by physicians and medical personnel and was instituted by the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) in the 1930s. The Mass typically takes place in the month of October since the Feast of St. Luke is on October 18th. St Luke, the great physician, was the writer of one of the synoptic Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles.
It is traditional at the White Mass that the bishop blesses physicians and all those medical personnel caring for people, including nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and medical office/hospital personnel.
The Sangre de Cristo Guild of the CMA, headed by Dr. Kenneth Dernovsek, organized the White Mass.
Dr Dernovsek thanked Bishop Berg for presiding over the White Mass, noting that “the graces received today by your blessing will strengthen all medical personnel to live out in their service, as per today’s Gospel, to ‘Love your neighbor as yourselves’.” (Matt. 22:39)
The Knights of Columbus, musicians and staff of the Cathedral, and local Catholic physicians participated in various capacities during the service, all contributing to the joy and solemnity of the day.
Physicians in the Diocese of Pueblo are invited to contact Dr. Dernovsek (kddernovsek@gmail.com) for information about the Sangre de Cristo Guild of the CMA.
The Catholic Medical Association, which hosts an inspiring national educational meeting annually has an informative website at www.cathmed.org where Catholic physicians and other medical personnel can join the organization directly.
If you found this article helpful, you'll enjoy "The Living Garden" E-News" & "The Little Way" magazine!
The Living Garden: a bi-weekly email to your inbox the 1st and 15th of the month.
The Little Way magazine: a quarterly publication delivered to your home.
To subscribe: scroll to the bottom of this page and click on "Subscribe to The Living Garden" and "Subscribe to The Little Way". Subscribing is easy and FREE!