Holy Grail of healing comfort

She's a high-fiving, crucifix-wearing, Jesus-loving Catholic nun. And for those in pain, her knock at the door could mean an easing of their suffering.

Sister Maria Lucia is a nun who roams the halls at least three days a week at Odessa Regional Medical Center comforting, caring and counseling. In addition to Lucia, the hospital also has five protestant pastors, Director of Communications and Marketing for ORMC Jacqui Gore said.

"I think the best part is seeing a change. They're in pain, but you'll start to see a slight smile or their eyes light up and they relax," Lucia said.

Lucia offers counseling to people with terminal illnesses, those who are in for routine procedures and also the families of patients. The first question Lucia said she asks of a patient is if they are Catholic. But she does not limit her presence to Catholics and said she has people of all faiths who ask her to pray for them.

"I visit everybody, even the neonatal intensive care unit," Lucia smiled. She said the NICU is one of her favorite places to visit.

Lucia's presence, which alone is magnetizing, brings comfort to those she visits. Neyeli Dominguez, a patient at ORMC awaiting gall bladder surgery, said she has seen Lucia twice.

"She prays for me and tells me to be strong and believe in God," Dominguez said. "She makes me feel really calm, and I don't feel as much pain."

Lucia goes to ORMC as part of mission work of a local parish that includes two churches, St. Joseph's Catholic Church and St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Parochial Vicar Father Mark Miller said. She is at ORMC every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

She begins her day by going to the front desk and getting a list of patients. Some list that they are Catholic and sometimes she scans the list and finds names that stand out to her. Lucia said she feels God could be behind some of the names that stand out to her, leading her to the people who need her presence.

Lucia carries holy water and holy oil in her bag. She said the condition of her patient helps her determine which, if either, she should use. The purpose of both is to refresh and bring tranquility.

Dealing with the life-and-death issues of others is part of Lucia's life, and she considers everyone as being part of God's family.

"We are all brothers and sisters," she said.

Lucia said she never dreamed she would be serving God's will in a hospital. When she first knew her calling, she envisioned herself living in a monastery on top of a mountain. But Lucia said that God's will for now is for her to visit patients in the hospital.

Those patients, who are in traumatic situations, sometimes question God and why he has put them in that situation.

"I hear that more often than I like," Lucia said. "But you know what I tell them? I tell them the truth. I tell them I don't know. It's God's will for some reason ... it may bring greater good."

Lucia's faith remains strong and miraculous situations excite her. Registered Nurse Christine Jones and Lucia spoke of a pregnant woman whose membrane ruptured at 17 weeks. Jones said in a case like that, the baby will almost certainly die. But Jones said the woman had a very strong faith in God and just knew God was going to give her a baby. Lucia spent a lot of time with the woman and prayed for her. The woman carried the baby nearly to full term, something Jones and the rest of the nursing staff called a miracle.

"Having Sister Lucia is like having a direct hot line to God," Jones said. "She's inspirational. It's nice to have someone pray for the babies."

Lucia gives all the credit to God.

"God is love. We have to let go (of our problems). If we don't, we get stuck." Lucia said. "Do you want to know the most amazing thing about God? He's the only who left but also stayed. He died for each of us, resurrected from the dead and went back to Heaven. But he stayed and is here through the Holy Spirit."

Lucia sees each door as an opportunity to share the word of God with others.

"I go everywhere there's a door, and I walk in," she said.