Sacred Steps: She sat with COVID patients as they approached death

The Spiritual Edge

For the first episode of TSE's series Sacred Steps, we profile Sarah Byrne-Martelli, a hospital chaplain in Boston. Since the earliest weeks of the pandemic, Sarah sat with COVID patients to reassure them at the end of their lives. She calls it bringing "bright sadness" or “joyful sorrow” to the bedside—to hold space for hope, joy and sadness all at the same time. Sarah has done hospital chaplaincy work for 17 years now. Without her, these COVID patients would have otherwise spent their final moments alone.