The annual White Mass, which brings together Catholics who work in the medical field, was celebrated at the St. Thomas More Newman Center near Ohio State University on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
Bishop Earl Fernandes was principal celebrant at the Mass for the first time since his ordination and installation as the 13th bishop of the Diocese of Columbus in May.
The Mass is sponsored by the Catholic Medical Association of Central Ohio, which is an affiliate of the national Catholic Medical Association, the country’s largest association of Catholic individuals in health care whose mantra consists of growing in faith, maintaining ethical integrity and providing excellent care in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
After the Mass, the local Catholic Medical Association held its annual meeting on the second floor of the Newman Center.
Concelebrating the Mass were Father Adam Streitenberger, executive director of the Newman Center and the diocese’s coordinator for evangelization; Father Stash Dailey, vicar for religious in the diocese and vice-rector at the Pontifical College Josephinum; and Father Emmanuel Adu Addai, parochial vicar at Worthington St. Michael Church who holds a doctorate in bioethics.
Also on the altar were Deacons Steve Petrill, a professor at Ohio State who is assigned to Dublin St. Brigid of Kildare Church and assists at the Newman Center, and Deacon Moe Milne, an anesthesiologist who serves at Columbus St. Agatha Church.
The White Mass is typically held on or near Oct. 18, the feast of St. Luke the Evangelist, who was one of the four Gospel writers as well as the author of the Acts of the Apostles and received mention in the Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians as a physician.
“St. Luke is the patron saint of physicians,” Bishop Fernandes said. “Tradition says that he was a physician, and so today we celebrate this special White Mass in honor of the white coats worn by doctors.”
Among those in attendance at the Mass were physicians, medical students, practitioners, professors and nurses.
“An organization like the Catholic Medical Association helps us to realize that we are not alone,” Bishop Fernandes said. “Not only is the Lord with us, but our brothers and sisters, our friends are with us. And together we can take our stand for life.”
Bishop Fernandes was a medical student for two years at the University of Cincinnati before discerning a call to the priesthood.
His late father, Sydney, was a physician in Toledo, and three of the bishop’s four brothers are doctors who attended medical school at Ohio State. Dr. Ashley Fernandes, a pediatrician, medical ethicist and professor at Ohio State, attended the White Mass.
Bishop Fernandes observed in his homily that St. Luke’s Gospel contains several major themes. He mentioned the preferential option for the poor and how God’s mercy is reflected in the stories of the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son and the Good Thief on the cross.
“St. Luke’s Gospel has good news to share,” the bishop said. “It is not merely words. It is the Word, the person, of Jesus Christ who changes our situation from one of death to one of life. And we are his people.
“We are the people of life, called to defend life, to care for life and to nurture and cherish the gift of human life.”
The bishop offered a reminder to those in health care to reflect on the constant presence of the Holy Spirit, who overshadowed Mary at the Annunciation and worked to bring Jews and Gentiles into the family of God.
“I want to thank you for your service to the gift of human life but also to remind you that, time and again, you show forth the merciful face of our God to those who are sick, who are suffering, and who are anxious,” Bishop Fernandes said. “They need you, and they need Jesus Christ.
“Jesus, the Son of Mary, brings us not only health but salvation. And this is what you, his disciples, those who provide loving and compassionate care, bring – not only health, but Jesus in whom we have salvation. May Jesus Christ be praised, now and forever. Amen.”