Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Auxiliary Bishop Keith Chylinski led dozens of doctors in prayer Oct. 19 at the annual White Coat Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, advising the physicians to put prayer above the many obligations that come with their work.
The event invites members of the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) to the cathedral each year to celebrate Mass followed by a luncheon at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center. The White Coat Mass is always celebrated around Oct. 18, the feast of Saint Luke, patron saint of physicians and of the CMA.
In his homily, Bishop Chylinski warned the assembled doctors against the danger of allowing earthly responsibilities to take them away from prayer.
“One of the greatest temptations against prayer in our lives is busyness,” Bishop Chylinski said, according to Catholic Philly. “There are so many things that can occupy our time, our focus, the priorities we set. There are so many things that are pulling at us, so many responsibilities. We have to always remember that those can never take precedence over our relationship with God. God is God. He wants us for Himself.”
The association, which was founded in 1932, works with doctors and medical students around the nation to harmonize their profession with the Catholic faith.
According to its website, the CMA is “the largest association of Catholic individuals in healthcare.” The organization works “at the national and local level to provide services that benefit the entire health care community.”
For example, Dr. Lester Ruppersberger, a retired OBGYN and former president of the CMA, mentors medical students in Philadelphia.
“With Philadelphia having five medical schools now, we have a contingent of about 25 to 40 medical students at any given time that we get together with regularly,” Ruppersberger said, according to Catholic Philly. “We mentor them and try to show them how they can practice their faith and medicine at the same time.”
Dr. John Travaline, director of the pulmonary procedure unit at Temple University Hospital and a permanent deacon, assisted at the Mass.
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