Three Reflections upon the Catholic Medical Tradition and Hospice and Palliative Care.

I am often struck at the similarities of caring for older, chronically ill patients, and the long Christian tradition caring for the needy, the poor, and the sick. Particularly when challenged by the scope and size of the task of ministering to this truly underserved population, I find that a spiritual re-focusing provides meaning and comfort. Viewed from the perspective of eternity, end-of-life care occurs in that space between the present and the afterlife. What is the place of spirituality in the care of patients receiving hospice and palliative care? How do Catholic healthcare personnel respond to their patients' needs? I propose three reflections addressing (1) The Church and human suffering, (2) Catholic framing of goals of care, and (3) Christian stewardship of the cycle of life.