Spirituality
Spirituality provides us with a sense of meaning and purpose in life and is expressed in religious practices, art, or nature. Spirituality is a relationship with self, nature, God or higher being. Serious illness may challenge or affect hope. Dying does not inevitably bring despair. People may develop new and deeper hopes at the end-of-life. Pastoral care and religious organizations may be helpful to dying persons and their families.
Religion is a set of beliefs, practices, and language that characterizes a community and is a search for meaning on a particular way. Your faith community may include a church, temple, synagogue or other site as a place of worship. Spirituality and religion can offer people hope and meaning at the time of serious illness. Religious needs involve making peace in one's relationship with God. Religious rituals may provide a source of comfort and support to the dying patient and their families. Some examples of religious rituals follow.
- Prayer can be formal read by a clergy or family or friends. Prayer may also be informal and spontaneous. Some people may use silence and mediation as a form of prayer.
- Rosaries or prayer beads may be used in praying.
- Confession is common in many religions. People usually offer confession in private and ask for forgiveness. Reconciliation or seeking forgiveness is common in many religious traditions.
- Communion may be given by clergy or lay minister.
- Anointing may be done by the clergy. The person is blessed and anointed with scared oils. Special prayers are offered and this may be done more than once during an illness.
- Reading from scripture or the Koran may be comforting.
- Persons who are nonreligious are also in need of support (Koening, 2002). Spiritual resources should be offered when the person is ready for them. This may include finding meaning and purpose, saying goodbye, forgiving and receiving forgiveness, and maintaining hope.
Most hospitals and hospice have a pastoral care available. Hospice or hospital chaplains come from a variety of religious backgrounds and offer support to people regardless of religious affiliation. Many chaplains have completed clinical pastoral education programs approved by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, or the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, or the national Association of Jewish Chaplains. A religious leader of your own faith may also visit in the hospital or hospice.
Web sites:
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education: www.acpe.edu Professional organization representing many different faith and cultural traditions. Committed to advancing theological education in any setting where ministry is being practiced.
American Association of Pastoral Counselors: www.aapc.org Provides theological, spiritual, ethical, and clinical counseling. Also provides information on locating a clinical counselor near you.
George Washington University Institute for Spirituality and Health. www.gwish.org University based organization working to provide a more compassionate system of health care. Focus is on educational and clinical issues related to spirituality and health. Founder and director is Christina M. Puchalski, MD. Dr. Puchalski has published on spirituality and health care in journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association, Journal of Palliative Medicine, and Clinics in geriatric Medicine.
National Association of Catholic Chaplains. www.nacc.org Professional organization for certified chaplains ad clinical pastoral educators who participate in the healing mission of Jesus Christ. Provides standards, advocacy, education, and professional development.
National Association of Jewish Chaplains www.najc.org Professional organization for Rabbis, Cantors, and other Jewish professional functioning as chaplains. Provides services and resources to the Jewish community and general community on issues of pastoral and spiritual care based on Jewish traditions and services.
Article Reference on Spirituality:
Koenig, H.C. (2002). A Commentary: The Role of Religion and Spirituality at the End of Life. The Gerontologist, 42, 20-23.