National Nurses Week opened with reverence and reflection at the Nazareth Motherhouse Campus, where nurses and healthcare staff were honored in a special Blessing of Hands led by Sister Barbara Flores, SCN, provincial of the Western Province. The ceremony recognized the health care staff’s essential role in the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth’s mission to provide compassionate care.
Sister Barbara, addressing a group of staff members who gathered in a circle at Carrico Hall, acknowledged the quiet strength and compassion with which they carry out their work — often during the most vulnerable moments in a Sister’s life.
“There are times when you are the front person to deal with a moment of transition,” she said. “Sometimes it’s a very challenging situation, and the pain of it is taken up on us.”
She recounted hearing near-daily words of gratitude from Sisters served by the nurses. “I hear these stories, holding the hand of our Sister who is passing, who has just passed, and her friend may be sitting there with her. You know, those are very, very special,” she said.
To Sister Barbara, these encounters are far more than clinical service; they are moments of spiritual intimacy.
During the blessing, Sister Barbara moved among the staff, gently anointing each person’s hands. Her prayer echoed the spiritual depth of their calling:
“Blessed be the work of your hands that comfort those in need.
Blessed be your hands that provide hope and strength to those who are suffering.
Blessed be your hands that give peace to those in fear and pain.
Blessed be your hands that nurture and care for the lonely.
Blessed be your hands that wipe away tears… through God, who will bless you and equip you to keep on fulfilling this purpose — which is really God’s purpose for your life.”