A Responsorial Psalm from World AIDS Day

Since Alexian Brothers AIDS Ministry opened in 1989, its spiritual care team has been key in carrying out the Alexian Brothers mission of  transform the lives of people with HIV/AIDS within a compassionate, supportive community. The spiritual care team is made up entirely of volunteers. Bridget Purdome provides spiritual care to the residents of The Harbor and leads prayer services at Bonaventure House.

Bridget wrote a reflection about World AIDS Day 2011: Stand Against Stigma. The reflection refers to a segment of the event in which several individuals from the community spoke to their experience with HIV and stigma. Bridget’s reflection highlights the themes of each speaker’s story.

A Responsorial Psalm from World AIDS Day

God hears the cry of the poor.

A 74-year-old woman tearfully told her story.

21 years ago, her boyfriend infected her.

Her daughter wouldn’t allow her to see her grandchildren.Today, she’s alive and accepted by her family.

God hears the cry of the poor.

A young woman always donates to her co-workers’ breast cancer walks and Boy Scout fundraisers.

Each fall, she asks them to support her in the AIDS Walk.

Everyone’s broke when it comes to “those kind of people.”

She keeps walking, and she keeps speaking.

God hears the cry of the poor.

God is close to the stigmatized.

All who suffer from HIV/AIDS, God loves without condition.

God wraps her arms around the broken hearted.

No one is excluded from her care.

God hears the cry of the poor.

Holy Spirit, help us stop the stigma against those with HIV/AIDS.

By Bridget Purdome

You can read the reflection and more on Bridget’s website, The Spirit Today.

Special thanks to Bridget for allowing us to post her reflection to our blog, and for her dedication to the spiritual care of all residents of Bonaventure House and The Harbor.

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