The St. Gianna Guild of North Central Florida Catholic Medical Association is proud to present the 8th Annual White Mass in honor of St. Luke, the Physician, celebrated by Bishop Felipe Estévez. The event, held Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche in St. Augustine, will begin with a rosary at 3:30 p.m., followed by Mass at 4 p.m.
So named for the color worn by medical professionals, the White Mass’ origin comes from the national Catholic Medical Association in the early 1930s. For this specific Mass, under the patronage of Our Lady of La Leche and St. Gianna, Catholic physicians, medical students and residents, healthcare professionals, and healing ministries come together to serve Christ through the medical profession and pray to be able to faithfully fulfill their vocation like St. Luke.
The St. Gianna Guild of North Central Florida was established in 2012 and is one of seven Florida guilds. If you are interested in learning more about this event or in helping to establish a Jacksonville guild, contact Dr. Angeli Akey at stgiannaguildfl@gmail.com.
A depiction of St. Luke the Evangelist, patron of physicians and surgeons, is seen in a stained-glass window during the annual White Mass June 7 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)