Recognising the importance of hands in the relief of pain, the prevention of disease, the comforting of the sick and as a symbol of peace and solidarity is a core focus of the annual ‘Blessing of Hands’ ceremony on the University of Notre Dame Australia’s Fremantle campus.
Commencing in 2002, the ceremony was established to celebrate International Nurses Day. It enabled Notre Dame’s nursing students to join others from their profession around the world to commemorate Florence Nightingale and her contribution to the nursing vocation.
This tradition has developed to be a joint ceremony for students and staff from the Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Midwifery, Health Sciences, Physiotherapy and Arts and Sciences who gather to celebrate the symbolic importance of hands in the delivery of health care to the community.
The April 16 ceremony saw students’ hands blessed by campus chaplain Fr Andrew Chen and academic staff, before embarking on their first practicum for the year.
This practice embraces the past tradition where the hands of kings, priests and prophets were anointed with oils – a symbol of health and strength.
Past governor of the university Maureen Colgan OAM was this year’s guest speaker.
“You’ve chosen to study these important vocations at one of the best Catholic universities in the world today. It was the goal of Notre Dame’s founders that the important vocations of education and health care were delivered within a context of Catholic faith and values,” Mrs Colgan said.
“Through today’s ‘Blessing of Hands’ ceremony, we recognise the importance of our hands as spiritual and physical elements of healing.”
Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences Dylan Korczynskyj said the event is an important one on the university’s calendar for students and staff to recognise the importance of hands in the delivery of education, care and support to others – something that is often taken for granted.
“As a tradition that was first embraced by nursing students from across the globe, it is wonderful to see how this event has grown to encourage students from diverse professions and vocations where their hands are the fundamental tools to help others; treating wounds, taking the pulse, offering support, or celebrating success,” he said.