“White Mass” for healthcare workers in Surbiton
Mass for all healthcare workers, students, and patients
A “White Mass” for the guidance, protection, and strength of all healthcare workers, students, and patients was celebrated at St. Raphael’s, Surbiton, on 19 October 2026.
The Mass was arranged by Dr. Anuli Igboaka on behalf of the Catholic Medical Association (CMAUK) and offered for the feast of St Luke – “The Beloved Physician" – as referred to by Saint Paul in his Letter to the Colossians (4:14).
The celebrant, parish priest of St Raphael’s, Fr Michael Lovell, reflected on the sanctity of life from conception to natural death and expressed immense gratitude for the work of medical staff across the country and around the world.
In his homily, he encouraged all to take St Luke’s gospel as the model in showing continued compassion for the vulnerable, placing a strong emphasis on mercy, social justice, caring for the poor, the marginalised, and the suffering. St Luke writes (10:9): “Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”
The beauty of the liturgy, from the music to the readings in the Mass, was enriched by health professionals representing the different disciplines, including: nutritionists, anaesthetists, general practitioners, therapy, nursing, care work, psychiatry and medical students.
At the end of Mass, the relic of St Philip Howard was venerated. Those present were inspired by the inscription on his cell, which reads in English: “The more affliction we endure for Christ in this world, the more glory we shall obtain with Christ in the next”. These words remind us that suffering, when borne with faith, has redemptive meaning.
St Raphael, St Philip Howard, St Luke and Our Lady of Lourdes, Health of the Sick, pray for us.
Story and photo kindly provided by Janine Andrea Paul, a physiotherapist and parishioner of St Raphael’s. For Confession and Mass times at St Raphael's, please visit: https://straphaelsurbiton.org.uk/.
