Did I do the right thing?

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debbie_h

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Today at work a patient on my ward passed away (I am a nurse), while she was in the process of dying, (after medical intervention was ceased) i felt compelled to hold her hand & to pray for her, so I offered an Our Father & a Hail mary in my heart & head. after she was pronounced dead I crossed myself. I didn’t know her religion or her personal history. Did I do the right thing? & for next time is there a more appropriate prayer that I could say for any of my dying patients?
 
Any prayer is fine but the Divine Mercy chaplet said in the presence of a dying person is especially appropriate. I think your approach was very good; it seems like your intent was to offer comfort which you did by just being with her and holding her hand. That you offered the prayers quietly could be considered thoughtful in case that person was uncomfortable with prayer.
 
You did a wonderfully right thing. If I am ever gravely ill or injured, can I transfer to your ward? 😉
 
The Hail Mary does seem appropriate, as we ask Mary to pray for us “at the hour of our death.”

And of course the Lord’s Prayer is appropriate, as we assent “Thy will be done.”
 
I think what you did was very nice and I am certain you did the right thing. As far as a prayer, I feel you should follow your conscience.
 
Of course you did. How could praying for someone ever be wrong? Jesus prayed for the jews all the time so I don’t think your patients religious beliefs even matter. That prayer may be all they needed to get them ‘through the gates’!
 
You did a good and a right thing. You can always say prayers in your heart for the suffering patients. Prayer for others’ need is a silent ministry of charity. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is especially appropriate for dying persons. God bless!
 
debbie_h said:
is there a more appropriate prayer that I could say for any of my dying patients?
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An Act of Perfect Contrition.

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven, and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen.
Perfect contrition removes the guilt and eternal punishment due to grave sin even before sacramental absolution.
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ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage_print.asp?number=370862

Tell them to repeat what you say and pray the Act of Contrition, so they can hear you. Do this even if they cannot speak. You can pray it slowly and do it several times. In this way you may save a soul.
 
JM3 said:
An Act of Perfect Contrition.

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven, and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen.

ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage_print.asp?number=370862

Tell them to repeat what you say and pray the Act of Contrition, so they can hear you. Do this even if they cannot speak. You can pray it slowly and do it several times. In this way you may save a soul.
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I would be concerned about asking any patient to repeat what you say in a prayer for legal reasons.
Mary.
 
MaryT777 said:
I would be concerned about asking any patient to repeat what you say in a prayer for legal reasons.
Mary.
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That would be your choice to make. Are you more concerned about your life in this world or someone else’s in the next?
 
The reason why I wasn’t sure if I was acting appropriately (spiritually) as I’m not yet a baptised Catholic & I’m not quite well versed in many prayers yet. So the silent prayers I offered for her were the ones I say myself everyday. Since the medical emergency & her passing was within a very short window of time, I thought that I could at least say those short prayers for her.
I’m not sure about the laws in America, but for us over her in Aus, we can only call for a chaplain or priest on family or the patients request.
 
debbie_h said:
The reason why I wasn’t sure if I was acting appropriately (spiritually) as I’m not yet a baptised Catholic & I’m not quite well versed in many prayers yet. So the silent prayers I offered for her were the ones I say myself everyday. Since the medical emergency & her passing was within a very short window of time, I thought that I could at least say those short prayers for her.
I’m not sure about the laws in America, but for us over her in Aus, we can only call for a chaplain or priest on family or the patients request.
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Here, too. In January I called for a priest, no one available. I had already died once. The ER nurse started praying , she not Catholic, God heard her and I was most grateful.
 
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