WINSTON-SALEM — About 100 Catholic health care professionals filled the pews at St. Leo the Great Church on Sept. 25 to worship, pray and reflect on the special relationship between their faith and the work they do. Bishop Michael Martin celebrated their commitment to “walk with people in their woundedness,” during the White Mass organized by the Triad Region Guild of the Catholic Medical Association.
The tradition of the White Mass originated in the early 1930s with the founding of the national Catholic Medical Association and takes its name from the white coats health care professionals traditionally wear.
The liturgy offers a special time of prayer for God’s blessing on all those who work in health care – doctors, nurses and other practitioners and caregivers.
This was the first time Bishop Martin celebrated a White Mass in the diocese, and he noted it took place the night before the feast day of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, twin brothers born to Christian parents in Arabia in the third century. Cosmas became a physician and Damian was an apothecary, and neither charged for their services. They are the patron saints of surgeons and physicians.
Traditionally, White Masses are also held under the patronage of St. Luke, who was a physician.
In his homily, the bishop talked about the special role health care professionals play and related it to the readings, which focused on God’s role as a guardian over those He has created, no matter what they are going through.
“In many instances,” he told them, “you are on the front lines when people are at their worst, able to to be with them in their pain and assure them that God cares and that God is with (them).”
“If you take anything from this Mass, realize that the Lord Jesus put you in medical school so you can be with the wounded of the world,” the bishop said. “Praise God that you are people of faith, that you take the gift of life seriously and that you are willing to walk with people in their woundedness.”
After the Mass, attendees gathered in the parish hall for a reception, where they spent time talking, networking and catching up with peers.
This was the second White Mass organized by the Triad Guild, which launched in October 2024. Guild President and physician Ursula Whalen said the organization offers “spiritual formation, education and fellowship” for members.
Members hold meetings every six weeks, during which they discuss topics related to the health care field and hear from guest speakers.
Scott and Debbie Morton, psychotherapists in Winston-Salem, said the guild has given them a way to better connect their work and faith.
“It’s wonderful to have a group that brings together people who bring knowledge of the Catholic faith to the health care profession,” Debbie Morton said. “It’s great to have a chance to be together and talk about what we do.”
“To be with other health care professionals who are also Catholic is a real blessing,” Scott Morton said. “It was special to attend the Mass and hear the bishop’s message about the nature of healing.”
The next meeting is open to the public and will feature Sister Deirdre “Dede” Byrne, a member of the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus, surgeon and retired U.S. Army colonel. She will speak about euthanasia at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 in the St. Leo parish hall.
— Christina Lee Knauss