Irregular Priest
Hospice Silence
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
Hospice Silence.
I have no other term or descriptor other than ‘hospice silence’ for what I consider a very sacred space.
Often when I am at bedside of a dying patient the best that I can offer is silence.
That moment of quiet and stillness..
-when physical agony has subsided due to the mixture of medicine and Grace.
-when family visits have quieted and there is nothing more to say.
-when the patient’s eyes are closed
-when you count breaths.
That moment of hospice silence. When the prayer for the all the souls in the room connects as one.
When it seems like your presence is just a speck in the midst of the never ending universe.
When life as all you know and experience as breath is ending.
There in the silence is the Creator of life and all becomes one…living, dying, and rising.
But first—silence.
It is so difficult to be quiet in this world, isn’t it?
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About the Author
Ordained a Roman Catholic priest, Michael left the active ministry, married, worked as a therapist, then later became an Episcopal priest. In 2004, together with his wife and son, he made a pilgrimage to Medjugorje in thanksgiving for her healing from cancer. It was at this first pilgrimage that he felt called to reconcile with the Roman Catholic Church--a church from which he had been excommunicated.
Following he and his family’s return to the Catholic Church, he has been requested by parishes and prayer groups for talks and retreats on a variety of spiritual topics. He reaches a broad audience because of the wealth of his experiences as a priest, therapist, protestant minister, ex-communicant, hospice chaplain and of course a husband and father. He is a captivating story teller, preacher, and has a knack for connecting with the congregation and audience.
Michael is a full time chaplain for LECOM VNA Hospice. In addition he facilitates several bereavement and support groups.
Michael enjoys family adventures, bicycling, cooking, fly fishing, building projects, and music composition. He lives with his lovely wife and five hounds. On occasion he runs a half marathon with his wife, son, and daughter-in-law.
A Lost Shepherd , Michael’s first book was published in 2012 and received a nomination for Book of the Year by the Small Publishers Association. In 1991 He composed, performed and produced Earthen Illusions a selection of musical compositions and donated all proceeds to the American Cancer Society. He is also a contributor to Priest magazine, published by Our Sunday Visitor. He is currently authoring a new work on Spritual Direction in Hospice.
