Care for the Sick and Dying
Resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on supporting loved ones with compassion and respect as they near the end of life.
Samaritanus bonus
In 2020, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released the letter Samaritanus bonus, “on the care of persons in the critical and terminal phases of life.” The letter reaffirms the Church’s teaching on care for those who are critically ill or dying and offers additional pastoral guidance for increasingly complex situations at the end of life.
Samaritanus bonus: A Compendium
This compendium contains summaries of each section of Samaritanus bonus and was prepared by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities to serve as a resource on and introduction to the letter.
Samaritanus bonus: Study Guide
This study guide is designed to be used in group settings to discuss and reflect on Samaritanus bonus, but it can also be used for personal study. The study guide provides Scripture passages, prayers, and discussion questions to help participants reflect more deeply on the letter and its central themes and teachings. It can be used in conjunction with either the “Samaritanus bonus: A Compendium” or with the full document.
The Witness of the Good Samaritan: Palliative Care and Hospice
This four-page document offers a brief overview of key points from Samaritanus bonus with a specific focus on what it says about palliative care and hospice.
Articles
Caring for Loved Ones at Life’s End
When loved ones’ approach life’s end, we may not know how to support them. Ten suggestions anchored in unconditional respect for human life help readers know how to provide authentically compassionate care.
Catholic Considerations for Our Earthly Passing
As Catholics, we know that death is the door through which we must pass to gain eternal life. Several considerations are provided in this article as starting points for understanding and preparing for our earthly passing in a way that respects God’s gift of human life.
Advance Medical Directives: Planning for Your Future
It’s important to plan for future healthcare decisions in a way that respects the dignity of life. Rather than relying solely on forms like living wills, appointing someone who shares your values ensures medical choices align with your beliefs, especially in situations where you can’t speak for yourself.
Prayers
Prayers for Death and Dying
Prayers can offer comfort and consolation to us and our loved ones as they near the end of life and as we cope with grief. This page provides many prayers, and Bible verses suitable for illness, death, mourning, and grief.
