“I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me...I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” --Mt 25:36-40
The Background
Did you know that 70% of Jesus’ reported miracles were those of healing, and that St. Luke was a doctor?
But did you also know that some of the first physicians to practice medicine free of charge (called ‘Ανάργυροι’ in Greek) were Catholic-Christian saints, including the brothers Sts. Cosmas and Damien?
...And did you know that the world's first public hospital was founded by a Catholic saint (St Basil)?
...That most medieval hospitals, leprosaria, and scientific scriptoria were run by Catholic monks?
...That universities (and accompanying medical schools) were inventions of Catholic Europe?
...That the Royal College of Physicians was founded by a Catholic who became a priest (Thomas Linacre)?
...That modern anatomy was discovered by a Catholic (Andreas Vesalius)?
...That genetics was discovered by a Catholic priest (Gregor Mendel)?
Many people do not realize the essential role that Catholic Christianity has played in the development of compassionate, effective medical care aimed particularly to the poor. We have established the St. Basil the Great Society to attempt to continue that role. “For as you did unto these least brothers of mine, so you did unto me…”
But did you also know that some of the first physicians to practice medicine free of charge (called ‘Ανάργυροι’ in Greek) were Catholic-Christian saints, including the brothers Sts. Cosmas and Damien?
...And did you know that the world's first public hospital was founded by a Catholic saint (St Basil)?
...That most medieval hospitals, leprosaria, and scientific scriptoria were run by Catholic monks?
...That universities (and accompanying medical schools) were inventions of Catholic Europe?
...That the Royal College of Physicians was founded by a Catholic who became a priest (Thomas Linacre)?
...That modern anatomy was discovered by a Catholic (Andreas Vesalius)?
...That genetics was discovered by a Catholic priest (Gregor Mendel)?
Many people do not realize the essential role that Catholic Christianity has played in the development of compassionate, effective medical care aimed particularly to the poor. We have established the St. Basil the Great Society to attempt to continue that role. “For as you did unto these least brothers of mine, so you did unto me…”
Who We Are
The St. Basil Society is composed primarily of students at UT Southwestern Medical Center—including medical, graduate-research, and allied health students. Our membership also includes UTSW faculty and staff, as well as physicians and friends from the community. Although our focus and background is Catholic-Christian, our members (and regular attendees at some of our lunch discussions) include a significant number of non-Catholics and non-Christians.
The Society was started by a group of students in 2008, and it soon became one of the more popular and respected student groups on campus—respected particularly for the quality of our speakers and the frequency of our service events. You can see a few of our previous speakers on our Academics page. And please click here to meet our leaders and faculty mentors.
The Society was founded with 4 essential goals, which are detailed in our Constitution (see below).
The Society was started by a group of students in 2008, and it soon became one of the more popular and respected student groups on campus—respected particularly for the quality of our speakers and the frequency of our service events. You can see a few of our previous speakers on our Academics page. And please click here to meet our leaders and faculty mentors.
The Society was founded with 4 essential goals, which are detailed in our Constitution (see below).
Our Constitution
OUR MISSION
I. Mission:
The Catholic Society of St. Basil the Great sponsors academic discussions, service opportunities, religious events, and social gatherings to encourage Catholic-Christian judiciousness, charity, faith, and camaraderie among its members.
II. Aims:
The St. Basil the Great Society aims to:
I. Mission:
The Catholic Society of St. Basil the Great sponsors academic discussions, service opportunities, religious events, and social gatherings to encourage Catholic-Christian judiciousness, charity, faith, and camaraderie among its members.
II. Aims:
The St. Basil the Great Society aims to:
- sponsor academic forums covering topics of interest to Catholic clinicians and researchers, including bioethics, science, theology, literature, history, and the arts
- encourage volunteer service activities for the local and global community, including through medical service and the extraordinary ministry of Holy Communion
- sponsor the annual White Coat Mass and other opportunities for communal Mass, prayer, and study of the Bible or other spiritual texts
- encourage socializing and networking among its members
For those interested...
A young historian/med student reflects on early Christian history: essay available here
A young historian/med student reflects on early Christian history: essay available here