Blessing of the Hands Ceremony: Honoring the Healing Journey of Future Respiratory Therapists

On Wednesday, June 11, the Respiratory Care program at Baptist Health Sciences University (BHSU) held a Blessing of the Hands ceremony. With family, friends, and faculty present, eight junior and senior students preparing to enter clinicals were anointed with holy oil and prayed over in a moment of spiritual reflection and purpose.

The Blessing of the Hands marks a pivotal turning point in each student's academic and professional journey. More than a ceremonial milestone, it serves as a reminder of the sacred trust that comes with caring for others during their most vulnerable times.

A Centered Beginning

Kira Anderson, Program Chair of the Respiratory Care program, shared the deeper significance of the experience:

“Blessing of the Hands is an opportunity for students to center their minds on the privilege and responsibility of caring for others during vulnerable times of illness and injury. It is a time to place the humanity of patients at the forefront of their academic journey.”

She emphasized the sense of community and spiritual support students receive as they transition into this next phase:

“I hope that students will recognize through the presence of their families, friends, peers, their Dean, and program faculty that they are supported spiritually as they prepare for and progress to such an important part of their academic and professional journey.”

Anderson also noted how this moment helps equip students for the emotional and spiritual challenges they may face in health care:

“Blessing of the Hands reminds students that the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will always be there for them when they become challenged with the emotions that come with witnessing the suffering of others, that He will comfort them and give them peace, as they bring comfort to others.”

Spiritual Integration with Purpose

Rusty Woods, Director of Faith Integration and Services at BHSU, and facilitator of the ceremony, offered profound insight into the spiritual depth of this event:

“There is a mystic tradition in Christianity that talks about ‘thin places’ where the divide between God and humans is thinner or lifted altogether. I believe health care workers create thin places when they touch, dignify, acknowledge, and heal patients. This is an extension of God’s ‘kingdom come, will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’”

For students who spend countless hours memorizing anatomy, practicing procedures, and studying treatments, ceremonies like this bring them back to the heart of why they chose this calling:

“Blessing of the Hands is a reminder that in their mundane mad dash through their programs, miracles may happen through their hands of healing. This is purposeful, meaningful, holy work they are doing and prepare to do.”

Woods shared the prayerful message he hopes students carry forward:

“When Jesus touched a leper to heal him, it wasn’t because He couldn’t have healed him any other way. It was because those watching needed to be healed of their biases about who is ‘worthy’ and ‘valued.’ Our students are on the front lines of dignifying humans who will show up feeling unclean, unhealthy, and unworthy. What a great way to spend a day, a year, and a life’s work.”

Student Reflections

Students also expressed what this blessing meant to them personally:

“By helping and healing people in need and making a positive impact in people’s lives.”

“This blessing to me means that God has placed it upon my heart to go into the medical field to heal and help others in need.”