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Finding meaning |
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 Religious
-- A Sampler
 Prayer |
Most denominations include prayer.
Prayer can be formal, recited or read by an individual such
as a member of the clergy or congregation, or informal, created
spontaneously to give thanks or praise or for specific needs.
For some people, meditation and silence are forms of prayer.
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| Confession |
Many religions, including Christianity, Judaism,
and Islam, have a form of confession. Christians, including
Catholics, usually make private confessions to a clergy member,
while Jews and Muslims may confess sins to family or in ritual
prayers. All who confess do so with the expectation of forgiveness.
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| Communion |
Christians often partake of bread and wine as
a ritual remembrance of Jesus' death and resurrection. The Eucharist,
as it is often called, is meant to nourish one's soul. Communion
is usually given by a clergy member or lay minister.
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| Anointing |
Priests and ministers in many faiths bless the
sick by anointing them with sacred oils, often touching them
on the forehead, hands, or diseased part of the body. Once called
"the last rites," Roman Catholics now receive "the sacrament
of the sick," in which communion, confession, and anointing
occur. This sacrament, which is considered to be a healing one
for the soul, can be received several times during an illness.
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| Religious
Items |
For many people, items such as icons, statues,
rosaries, medallions, prayer beads, and prayer wheels offer
a comforting connection to their beliefs. |
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Adapted from The
Handbook for Mortals: Guidance for People Facing Serious Illness,
by Joanne Lynn and Joan Harrold, copyright by Joanne Lynn, used by
permission of Oxford University Press.
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