Story 8: A Final Wish Granted
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Transcript: A Final Wish Granted: The Unforgettable Baptism Date: December 15, 2025 Speaker: Ed Montano Ed Montano: The joke that I tell people is that a lot of the time, people feel apprehensive about approaching us. So, what I try to do is let them know that "It's okay. God is not a Catholic either." The patient was aware that they were not going to be with us much, much longer, and they had never been baptized. They asked me personally if that could happen, and of course we can just organize it. No problem. When would you like it? You know, it's like, "Oh, as soon as possible." So that was organized within a day or two, and it was a beautifully touching ceremony. A lot of the times, because we are so blessed to live in the multicultural society here in Ottawa and here in Canada, we don't know that some certain little things that, for the most part, we take for granted. Some people never thought possible, such as the baptism, and having lived in that country with an oppressive regime that wasn't conducive to faith or religion or anything along those lines, so it meant a great deal for the patients and the family. In fact, when the patient passed, they passed wearing their baptismal stole, so that was another touching moment. It's a wide range of services that we can provide, it could be from just a simple referral to a simple sit-down and having a small conversation, to utilize the psycho-spiritual techniques that we have learned. I'll never tire of saying this, but the service here is not just for the patients and their families, but also for the staff. Please know that it's here for you. It's available and we are just happy to see you.
Healing Beyond Medicine
Ed Montano, Spiritual Care Practitioner, has been with QCH for almost six years. In that time, he has supported patients and families through some of their most vulnerable moments. In the video, Ed shares one unforgettable experience: organizing a baptism for a patient nearing the end of life. It’s a powerful glimpse into the compassionate role that the spiritual care and palliative care teams play every day.
The man receiving the wish, with a chaplain.
A group of nine people participating in a spiritual ceremony.
Spiritual Care During the Holidays
With the holiday season approaching, we know this time of year can bring joy and emotional strain. The Spiritual Care team is here to support not only our patients and families, but also our staff.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support. You can visit the Spiritual Care website for more information and resources, or stop by the Spiritual Care Office next to the Gift Box on the main level. The office is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and can be reached at Ext. 6600.