HOSPITAL MINISTRY

Hospital Ministry at the Archdiocese of San Antonio

I WAS SICK AND YOU VISITED ME. (MT. 25:36)

Hospital Ministry helps connect the body of Christ to those in the hospital. Priests and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion bring the presence of Christ to patients and their family members through pastoral visits to those hospitalized. Volunteers in Hospital Ministry serve in more than ten different hospitals throughout the San Antonio area. Priests assist in offering Masses in hospital chapels and the Anointing of the Sick to patients.


Serve in Hospital Ministry

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

1. Complete a training for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at your parish and review the Guidelines for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
2. Fill out and submit the Application for Hospital Ministry and Criminal Background Check. Include a Letter of Good Standing from your Pastor.
3. Contact the Spiritual Care Department for the Hospital at which youā€™d like to volunteer. The hospital will guide interested volunteers through an onboarding process.
4. Attend a Eucharistic Ministers inservice at a hospital or Hospital Ministry gathering to be commissioned (or recommissioned). Commissionings are valid for three years.
5. Participate in Parish Ministry Formation through the Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry and Service at MACC.

Rosary Makers

Volunteers make rosaries either individually or as a parish group. Rosaries are placed in bags, blessed, and then provided to hospitals for Hospital Ministers to use and distribute or they are made available in the hospital chapels. If you are interested in serving as a Rosary Maker, please contact Lauren Stadelman by email or call 210-734-1632.

Prayer Companions

Volunteers pray intentionally for other Hospital Ministers in the Archdiocese as well as for patients receiving care, including those who have submitted a Prayer Request. If you would like to serve as a Prayer Companion, please contact Lauren Stadelman by email or call 210-734-1632.

Linen Volunteers

Linen Volunteers support Hospital Ministry by caring for linens used in the celebration of the Mass in hospital chapels. If you are interested in serving as a Linen Volunteer, please contact Lauren Stadelman by email or call 210-734-1632.


Care for the Sick

What to do When Seeking Spiritual Care for a Loved One

Contact a Pastoral Care Office to notify them that you have a loved one in need of spiritual care, and that he/she is Catholic. Contact information for various hospital Pastoral Care Offices can be downloaded here (PDF). If you do not see the information you need, please contact Lauren Stadelman, Director for Pastoral Care & Hospital Ministry, by email or call 210-734-1632.

Anointing of the Sick

This Sacrament offers healing grace to a sick person, and may be felt or noticed physically, spiritually, emotionally or mentally. Only priests may perform an Anointing of the Sick, and does not need to be only reserved for individuals who are close to death. Read more about Anointing of the Sick here.

Prayers for the Sick


Healthcare Decisions

This document from the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops offers moral guidance for healthcare decisions, drawn from the Catholic Churchā€™s theological and moral teachings.

The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops offers Advance Care Planning documents to support individuals in considering their values, documenting their wishes for health care decisions, and designating a health proxy to speak on their behalf if needed.


Catholic Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare Professionals Mass

We invite all who serve in the healthcare field and care for the mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health of our community to an annual Healthcare Professionals Mass. Visit the Healthcare Professionals Mass webpage for more information.

Catholic Physicians Guild

Mental Health Professionals

If you are a practicing Catholic, a mental health professional, and would like to be added to our Archdiocesan Counseling Directory, please click here to apply.


Prayer Requests


Questions or Comments?

Lauren Stadelman
Director for Pastoral Care & Hospital Ministry