PHOTOS | Archbishop Aquila Calls Healthcare Workers to Pray for Patients At Annual White Mass
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Gathered on the feast of St. Luke, Catholic doctors and nurses reflected on faith, healing and the dignity of every patient.
By Barbara O'Neil
Social Media Manager
Archdiocese of Denver
“But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila reflected on these words from Luke 18:8, part of the Gospel reading, at the annual White Mass for Medical Professionals on Saturday, Oct. 18. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals gathered at Light of the World Parish in Littleton for the liturgical celebration honoring the vocation of those in the medical field.
“The way that he will find faith on earth is if we are truly men and women of prayer,” Archbishop Aquila said in his homily. “To those of you in the medical field: you have plenty of opportunities for prayer. When you go in to visit a patient, do you pray for that patient and hold that patient up to God?”
The White Mass for Medical Professionals coincided with the feast day of St. Luke, the patron saint of physicians and the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. As a “beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14), St. Luke’s example has long inspired Catholic medical professionals to view their work as a ministry of healing, grounded in respect for human dignity and a commitment to the Gospel.
Dr. Thomas Jensen, an adult endocrinologist at the University of Colorado Anschutz and president of the Denver Guild of the Catholic Medical Association (CMA), noted the enduring significance of the tradition.
“The White Mass allows Catholic healthcare professionals to come together in community and worship,” Dr. Jensen said. “It’s also a chance to draw on the gifts of the Heavenly Father to guide us in our professional practice.”
The CMA traces its roots to the Catholic Physicians Guild, founded in Boston, and the national federation that emerged in the 1930s. Today, the Denver Guild has over 100 active members, with 50 to 70 typically attending the White Mass for Medical Professionals. The celebration serves as both a spiritual and professional gathering, supporting healthcare workers as they navigate the pressures of modern medicine while remaining faithful to Church teaching.
“The biggest challenge Catholic medical professionals are facing right now is pressure from within medical communities to adhere to secular guidelines that ignore the respect of the human person as made in the image and likeness of God,” Dr. Jensen said. “We want to orient medicine back to fully embracing human dignity and to respect and cherish life.”
(Photos by Nick Koshute/Denver Catholic)
In his homily, Archbishop Aquila reflected on the necessity of persistent prayer, drawing from the Gospel parable of the persistent widow. The archbishop encouraged the congregation to embrace intercessory prayer for patients, colleagues, family members and even those who persecute us.
Highlighting the role of prayer in healthcare, Aquila urged medical professionals to seek guidance and wisdom in every aspect of their work.
“Pray for patients’ family members, especially when you have to go in and deliver bad news, asking the Lord to grant you grace,” he said.
He also reminded attendees of the gifts of the Holy Spirit as essential tools in living out their vocations.
During the Mass, healthcare professionals were invited to make solemn promises, dedicating themselves to service according to Catholic moral teaching. In a prayer led by Dr. Jensen, they committed to prioritizing patient needs above financial or political interests, embracing the spirit of charity and upholding the teachings of Pope Leo XIV and Archbishop Aquila.
Sister Mary Gretchen Hoffman, an internal medicine physician and member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan, reflected on the importance of the White Mass for Medical Professionals to Denver Catholic.
“It’s a beautiful time for physicians to come together for support and to remember that what’s most important is serving those entrusted to our care in keeping with Christ,” she said.
Following Mass, Sister Mary Gretchen Hoffman spoke to attendees at a reception dinner. There, she gave the example of Venerable Mother Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, who worked to provide for the sick and needy of Ireland in the 1700s despite a strong anti-Catholic atmosphere.
The annual White Mass for Medical Professionals continues to serve as a vital reminder of the importance of faith and prayer within the medical practice. Through communal worship, Catholic healthcare professionals reaffirm their commitment to both their patients and their faith, seeking to bring Christ’s healing presence into every aspect of their work.
