Hospital Visitationaries of Mary
The Hospital Visitationaries of Mary is a compassionate lay apostolate dedicated to visiting hospitalised patients, ministering to the sick, and comforting families in clinical environments.
Mission and purpose
To bring the maternal tenderness and presence of Mary to the bedside of patients, providing comfort, prayer, practical assistance, and notifying the chaplains when patients require the sacraments.
Catholic identity and spirituality
Inspired by Mary's joyful haste to the hill country of Judea to visit and care for her pregnant cousin Elizabeth (The Visitation), seeing Christ in the afflicted patient.
History of the wider movement
Formed within teaching hospital chaplaincies to assist pastoral care teams, bridging the clinical ward and the altar through regular lay bedside visitation.
Major activities and apostolate
Ward-to-ward patient visitation, distributing rosaries and prayer leaflets, consoling grieving families, assisting patients who lack family support with basic toiletries and provisions, and coordinating with the hospital chaplain for Emergency Anointings and Confessions.