WASHINGTON, D.C., October 2025 — The Conway School of Nursing gathered in prayer, reflection, and celebration as 88 nursing students participated in the annual Blessing of the Hands Ceremony — a cherished tradition that honors the sacred work of caring for patients.

Held in the Crypt Church at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the ceremony marked a pivotal moment in the students’ journey as they transitioned from the classroom to hands-on clinical practice. Students stood together, palms open, as Father Aquinas Guilbeau, O.P., Vice President for Mission and Ministry at The Catholic University of America, gently anointed each set of hands, invoking God’s blessing on their work.

The Blessing of the Hands is more than a rite of passage — it is a living expression of the Conway School of Nursing’s mission: to lead in the compassionate care of the whole person — mind, body, and spirit.

It reminds students that nursing is both a professional calling and a ministry of service, where technical skill and human kindness go hand in hand. As they prepare to enter hospitals, clinics, and community settings, the blessing serves as a spiritual foundation, calling each nurse to approach patient care with humility, dignity, and attentiveness. It emphasizes that healing involves not only treating symptoms but also nurturing the soul.

This year’s participants represent the next generation of nurse leaders. With their hands now blessed, these students will begin caring for patients in diverse healthcare environments — applying the knowledge and skills developed through rigorous academic preparation.

The ceremony affirms that Conway nursing students bring not only clinical excellence, but also the deep compassion and moral grounding that distinguish Catholic University nurses as healers of both body and spirit.