125 years of the San José Institute Foundation, “no more no less”. A day of celebration and joy. A day in which smiles have been the protagonists and Cardinal José Cobo, archbishop of Madrid, did not want to miss it. This Thursday, the cardinal participated in the events celebrating the 125 years of the San José Institute Foundation, an anniversary that began today and will continue tomorrow with an extensive program of activities to share this very important date together with all those who have made possible all these years of effort and work: institutions, associations, volunteers, patients, families, users, neighbors and collaborators.
«We meet basically to thank God because 125 years don’t happen every day», this is how the archbishop of Madrid began the homily after reading the Gospel. A path that began in 1899 when a group of Brothers of San Juan de Dios opened the doors of a small dispensary in the Carabenchel Alto neighborhood. This same dispensary “has traveled a path of health excellence, always with the soul and mission of the Church.”
«Today we can thank God for all the efforts we make, those desires to heal and work every day, and We do it not simply using good technique, but also from a deep experience of God. Therefore, giving thanks to God means today welcome the love of the Father and his desire that we recognize each other as brothers and that we can recognize Him in those who have lost their health and are most vulnerable. Giving thanks to God means thanking Him that He has been able to show Himself to so many patients as a good Father who takes care of all his children», stressed Cardinal José Cobo during the homily.
Coming to live the Gospel at the San José Institute Foundation also means thanking it for being “a reflection of what Pope Francis says and May the Church be that ‘field hospital’ in which all men can be welcomed, listened to and cured».
Throughout its history, this hospital has been “a mirror of that hospitable Church that understands that creative love is inseparable from innovation and care for the sick.” Remembering the greatest milestones in the history of the hospital (the construction of the surgery pavilion, the creation of the nursing school and new pavilions, the incorporation of new cutting-edge technologies, teaching activity), The archbishop of Madrid has remarked that “we cannot stop giving infinite thanks to God, to the Brothers of San Juan de Dios, to the professionals and to the volunteers for their commitment to palliative care.”».
Cardinal José Cobo also did not forget during his homily about all those who in these 125 years of history have given their lives, «those who continue to sow their lives among us and who, even from God, surely continue to support and intercede for the path of this hospital.»: «Therefore, today we have the possibility of living the Gospel that we have proclaimed and encountering Jesus because every time we articulate the mercy and good action of God, we have the possibility of touching Jesus.»
Finally, the archbishop of Madrid has asked the San José Institute Foundation continue to be “a beacon of hope, a space to alleviate the suffering of the sick, care for their body and soul and provide them with dignified and quality care.”. What we will have to do is continue looking to the future because the same dream that inspired Saint John of God still stands. “”The mere presence of this hospital, in these 125 years, constitutes a testimony that announces evangelical love in the midst of health and also denounces, at the same time, that so many contemporary sick people are not recognized, cared for, accompanied and, above all, loved. The church of Madrid continues to count on your charisma and incorporate it into its mission».
After the Eucharist, an institutional event took place that included interventions by Cardinal José Cobo himself: «Congratulations are the word that is heard most on this day. These words that we see on the wall are the foundations that, at every moment in history, are always strengthened with great looks. If you have to understand this work, you have to understand the good Samaritan and the passion of so many people who are giving a response of faith to a reality of people who are stranded on the side of the road. It is beautiful to celebrate the faith and work of many people. The faith of those who started, the faith of those who martyred simply for being here, the faith of those who reconstitute and of so many who are here. Many will congratulate us for the great innovative capacity, for the high technology, for the facilities. But I believe that the Church congratulates you for these words that are on this wall: solidarity, hospitality, responsibility, excellence, respect, charity and spirituality».
Also speaking during the event were Pilar Sánchez Pobre Bejarano, Deputy Manager of Assistance Processes of the Community of Madrid; from Brother Ramón Martín, superior of the Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu in St. Boi de Llobregat, who spoke about the origins of the hospital; of a member of the board; and José Soto Bonel, manager of the San José Foundation Hospital, who reflected on the hospital today: «Thank you very much for joining us on this special date for us. For 125 years this institution has always served the most vulnerable since the values of respect, responsibility, spirituality, charity and hospitality». Finally, Brother Amador Fernández, Provincial Superior of Spain, also spoke.
After the institutional ceremony, a commemorative plaque was also unveiled by the Brothers of San Juan de Dios of the hospital. The day concluded with a brief festive meeting.
