Hospital Stories

Last Tuesday night myself and a group of about 20 were commissioned in our local parish as Pastoral Care Ministers. We completed 32 hours of classroom training and various amounts of clinical training in the hospital. This is my 5th week at the hospital.

I felt a bit like we were ragtag soldiers who had just completed Basic Training. We were quite a diverse, untrained group coming in, most of us wondering how we would ever have enough courage to make visits. But the training by our priest and two deacons, all of hom do pastoral and hospice visits full time, was awesome.

This was way, way out of my box and comfort zone, so I am convinced the Holy Spirit opened all the doors for me.

I thought I might share a story here or there. I will never mention names, dates or locations, but try and just share some of the humanity out there, and how the Holy Spirit is working.

Today, I entered a room which held an elderly man. I thought he was asleep, as he was turned on his side, face away from the door.

Knocking lightly, I called out, Mr. ____ are you awake? He turned slightly and mouthed something I could not understand.

I came closer and realized he was saying that he was in great pain.

I didn't know what to do. It is so hard seeing someone in pain, and I just stood there. Shall I get the nurse? Yes, he nodded.

She came in and discussed it with him, telling him he just had pain medication 30 minutes ago. I left while they worked it out. She told him she would try a different kind and went to get it.

I re-entered the room, not sure what to do. He lay with his eyes closed and I was turning to leave when I saw on his tray rosary beads and a guide book. Probably left there by the Eucharistic Minister, I thought. I checked my printout, yes he was Catholic.

The Holy Spirit must have put the next thought in my head.

I walked to his bed and asked if he would like to pray the Rosary. He looked up and mumbled that he would.

I love the Rosary, but am not in the habit of saying it. Thank goodness the guide book was there. I didn't know what day was which mysteries, so I just chose a set- the Luminous.

I prayed and he lay with his eyes closed. The nurse returned after two mysteries with his new medication.

I left as she helped him swallow the pills.

When she finished I asked if he would like to finish the Rosary.

Yes, he nodded briskly.

We did and I saw that I left out prayers and messed up the order, but as he listened his breathing became regular. He seemed more relaxed, maybe due to the medication, but I think also the wonders of prayer and loveliness of the words of the Rosary.