White Mass to honor health care workers

By John Gleason

The Denver Archdiocese’s first White Mass honoring Catholic health care providers will be held next month at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Organizers plan to make it an annual liturgy.

The White Mass, called such because white is the traditional color worn by health care providers, will be celebrated at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 18, the feast of St. Luke, the patron saint of physicians.  Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will be the main celebrant. Father Steven Voss, chaplain of the Catholic Medical Association, will be the homilist.

Although the White Mass is new to the Denver Archdiocese, it has been celebrated in other dioceses across the country.

“This is something that had been talked about for sometime,” said John Miller, associate director for the Office of Liturgy.  “Through the efforts of the Catholic Medical Association, we’re able to implement it here.  Following the celebration of the first Blue Mass, the archbishop thought that there should be something for health care workers, too.  It’s another way to reach out to the faithful of the archdiocese.”

In the secular world it can be difficult for health care providers to hold to their beliefs as Catholics, often feeling a tension and isolation between faith and profession.  By coming together at a Mass with others who share a common view of how health care should be delivered, that isolation can be diminished.
Dr. Robert Domaleski of the Catholic Medical Association said the White Mass is important for several reasons.

“By receiving the Eucharist with others in our community, bound by common beliefs, we share in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ,” he said.  “It strengthens us in our sometimes difficult journey as Catholic health care providers.”

Catholic health care ministry has a unique perspective that is often different than that of the secular world. 

“It includes the most vulnerable in our society,” he said.  “The unborn, the aged and dying, the poor, the unwanted and unloved and those who have been stigmatized by their illness,” said Domaleski. “Coming together as one community within the context of the Eucharist will reenergize us in our profession and our faith.”

The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is located at 1530 Logan St., Denver.