Touching the Mystery of Life Spirituality in Sickness

Those who work in helping professions and those who volunteer to accompany sick individuals encounter the spirituality of patients and their families—whether in a non-religious or religious form: concrete need seeks language and meaning. Here, all companions—caregivers, doctors, social workers, psychologists, etc.—are called upon. Palliative care concepts explicitly demand that helpers and companions handle the spirituality of their clients and patients with expertise and support them in their search for meaning. For them, this grammar for helpers provides a tool for understanding and translation. Based on many years of practical experience, Weiher demonstrates through numerous models and examples how competence in spiritual accompaniment can be deepened and how helpers can communicate and act concretely. For the fourth edition, the section on pastoral care has been revised, and more recent literature has been incorporated. I wish this experience-rich and knowledgeable study on spirituality to be accessible to all disciplines involved with the sick and dying. It provides reliable information, alleviates overwhelming demands, and encourages self-qualification. Prof. Dr. Heribert Wahl, Trier.