Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa paid a visit to Saint Louis Hospital in Jerusalem on Wednesday May 5. During the visit, he inspected a number of patients who are receiving medical treatment at the hospital and met with a number of senior employees.

The congregation of Sisters de Saint-Joseph of the Apparition have run the hospital since 1948. Saint-Louis Hospital is not any more the only institution establishment specialized in palliative care, as it remains unique in its kind.

St. Louis Hospital was founded in the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem in 1851 and relocated to a massive, French Rennaisance style complex near the New Gate into the Old City in 1881. The hospital is operated as a charitable institution by the French Sisters of St. Joseph. As one visitor to the hospital described it, “St. Louis is a soulful place with a dedicated staff of doctors and nurses as well as scores of volunteers from all faiths.”

The quality and the professionalism of care, the deeply human and cordial relations that is lavished to patients, as well as the support and regards that brought to their families, all that in a family atmosphere are largely recognized and make the reputation of the hospital.

As the Sisters of the Congregation “Saint-Joseph of the Apparition” have the responsibility of the hospital, this Christian presence, alive in the center of the Holy City and of the holy Land, is currently even more important because of the number of autochthon Christians who leave the country.

By Munir Bayouk

Source: en.abouna.org