Via Lucis – the Samaritan Hospice Ministry for Catholic Patients and Families – has developed a Spiritual Support Kit for Samaritan chaplains to offer to each Catholic patient and family served by the hospice throughout Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester, Burlington and Mercer counties. The kit contains items of spiritual significance and tradition for Catholics at the end of life.
The kits were made possible through donations from individuals and organizations.
Each spiritual kit, contained in a clear Lucite box, includes a standing bedside crucifix donated by the Sacred Heart League; a rosary from the Vatican blessed by Pope John Paul II and donated by the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John; a Holy Water bottle; two holy cards with a Lucite stand and a Catholic Devotional prayer book.
The Holy cards were donated by the Knights of Columbus Santa Maria Council No. 1179 of Mt. Holly, Paris Business Products and a Burlington County donor who wishes to remain anonymous. They include a Prayer before the Cross, a Prayer of Healing and A Final Blessing: Prayer Upon the Death of Your Loved One.
Marge McGinley, a member of the Via Lucis Committee which conceived the kits, said, “The Via Lucis Committee hopes that this lovingly assembled selection of sacramentals will help Samaritan’s Catholic patients and families find hope, grace and the solace of prayer as they support each other on their sacred journey.”