THE VERBATIM

OUTLINE FOR RECORD OF PASTORAL CALL

Name of Hospital or Setting

Chaplain:____________________________ Verbatim No.:______________

Supervisor:__________________________ Visit No.:__________________
Venue:_____________________________ Time:_____________________
Date:______________________________ Duration:__________________

FACTUAL INFORMATION:
Summarize here the pertinent information you know before the visit.

PASTORAL PLAN:
Write what you intend to do in this visit. If it is an initial, introductory visit, it may be
something like this:
1. To become acquainted with the patient. Or
2. To indicate by my presence the concern of God and the Christian community for the
patient.
Or
3. To be alert to any opportunity for immediate pastoral care.
Whatever plans you may have, be prepared to follow the leads given by the person
visited.

OBSERVATIONS:
Record your first impression as you meet the patient, the room, and other observations
you may regard pertinent.

THE VISIT:
Here, give a verbatim account of what took place, not only the conversation but also
incidents, embarrassments, pauses, interruptions and such details as they occurred during the
visit. Present the FACTS that you recall. Reserve all interpretations and judgments for the
Analysis.

ANALYSIS:
The purpose of this is to help you understand the dynamics present in the patient and
your relationship with him/her in order that you may minister more effectively as a chaplain.

THE PATIENT: To guide your analysis of the patient, the following may be helpful:

Theological Concerns:
What is the quality of the patient’s faith in God? How is this faith related to his/her
present situation? How does this faith affect your relationship with him/her? Where is his/her
“growing edges”?
Psychological Concerns:
What is his/her level of emotional maturity? What could be his/her present major
psychological needs, conflicts? To what extent does he/she recognize them? How do these needs
affect your relationship with him/her? How is his/her psychological pattern related to his/her
God?

Sociological Concerns:
What is the relationship of the patient to his/her family, friends, community, and
hospital staff, considering his/her cultural, economic and political background? How is this
sociological pattern related to his/her faith in God?

THE CHAPLAIN: In order to be of the greatest possible help to the patient, the chaplain must
continuously attempt to understand his own emotional and religious reactions and
involvements. Recall in as much detail as possible your feelings throughout the visit, from the
time you selected this patient for the pastoral visit until you left the place.

How well have you listened? Note what you might have done better. What methods you
might use next time or again. Why did you select this patient? Why did you decide to record this
visit? How did you feel as you entered the room; during the introduction; during the pastoral
visit; during the interruptions; the pauses and termination of the visit? What did you consider
your role to be with this patient? What is your pastoral learning in this visit?

PASTORAL OPPORTUNITIES:
Based on your Patient Analysis above, what pastoral issues do you plan to attend to in
your next visit?

THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION:
Having reflected on your visit with the patient, write down what Biblical passage comes
to your mind and why. Or, where is God in this pastoral encounter?
 CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION
Manila Adventist Medical Center

Chaplain: Cathy Fortuna Verbatim No.: 1

Supervisor: Sr. Remy Visit No.: 1
Venue: 209 Time: 3:30 pm
Date: April 7, 2006 Duration: 30 min.

FACTUAL INFORMATION:
Mr. Renato Cruz, 32, is a marriedman and a Roman Catholic. He resides in BF, Sta. Rosa,
Pasay City. He was admitted April 5, 2006 with severe abdominal pain. He underwent
several laboratory examinations, and has NGT and intravenous infusion on his arm. He is
diagnosed to have cancer of the colon, stage IV (Taken from the medical chart).

PASTORAL PLAN:
To be with the patient, to listen to his pains and feelings about his illness.

OBSERVATIONS:
The patient was lying in bed with his head elevated. He was thin, with dark complexion.
His eyes were hollow and sad-looking. His hospital gown was stained and his hair was
not combed. The glass and dishes, with some food, were tidy on the table. He was alone
in the room.

THE VISIT:
C1: Good afternoon, Sir!
P1: Good afternoon, too. (Smiling)

C2: I am Cathy Fortuna from the Chaplaincy office. How are you?
P2: I am Renato Cruz. You can call me Rene. I need someone to talk to since the nurses
seem to be always busy.

C3: I’m glad you told me your need to talk to someone. Here I am available for you. I am
ready to listen to whatever you want to share.
P3: Thank you (said in a soft voice with a far-away look).

C4: You seem to be sad. Would you like to talk about what might seem to be bothering
you?
P4: (He looked at me pleadingly and began to cry free.) Yes.

C5: (I was nervous when I saw his tears. Silence) You must be feeling terrible!
P5: I really feel depressed. I pity my wife and children. I lost my job because of my illness
and now I have my expenses and they will have nothing for their future.

C6: Now that you are sick, you are worried for your family.
P6: Yes, I have surrendered them to God, and ask Him to take care of my family when I die. I
know that they are in good hands. I have accepted my death. My wife has been very
important with me and supports us the best she can. I pity her.

C7: Your wife must be a special lady, and she must love you very much.
P7: She has always been a good wife. I couldn’t ask for more, I am the one who has not been
a good husband for her and father to my children.

C8: Do you want to elaborate on that?

P8: Well, I had many vices when I was still working... smoking, drinking, womanizing, even
fighting. My wife always assisted me in my needs and was always there when I needed
her. How I love her, and wish I could turn back the hands of time. I would make her
happy.

C9: You seem to blame yourself for what you have done.
P9: Yes. Everything resulted from my vices. But I know that God has forgiven me. I learned to
accept that my illness is terminal, and I am getting weaker every day. I have committed
myself to God and my family as well. But I still can’t hold back my tears of sadness.
Please help me to pray for my family, that they may be in good hands.

C10: Shall we pray together now? (He nods yes). Let us say the Lord’s Prayer, asking that you
all have the courage to face what is ahead for you as a family. (We pray together). I will
go now, but will see you again.
P10: Thank you for your prayers. Maybe the next time you visit, you can meet my wife. I know
she would like to meet you.

C11: I’m looking forward to meeting her. I hope that you will have a comfortable evening.
Good-bye.

ANALYSIS:

THE PATIENT:

Theological Concerns:
The patient talks about having surrendered his family to God when he dies, but from his
emotions, I get the impression that this is not so clear. To him, God is caring, yet there is an
underlying sadness which seems to be linked with a longing to make good his mistakes of the
past. He says he believes God has forgiven his sins, but his expression of sadness leaves room for
doubt.

Psychological Concerns:
The patient was very open about his feelings about his terminal illness. He welcomed
the visit of the Chaplain and spoke openly about his vices. He states he feels depressed and
seems to be in need of learning to forgive himself.

Sociological Concerns:
The patient expresses love and appreciation for his wife. His earlier vices left the family
with minimal resources, and he fears for the future of the children. It is not clear why the patient
is without attendant, and the relationship from the wife’s point of view has not been talked
about.

THE CHAPLAIN:
I felt nervous when I entered the room. He welcomed me when I introduced myself and I
felt better. However, I was tensed when he cried and talked about his vices. I was afraid that I
might not be able to pick up his feelings and respond to him. In C4 and C5, I was able to facilitate
his sharing. C7 did not respond to his feelings in P6. I was not always in touch with my own
feelings during the visit especially in C9. In C10 I could have offered spontaneous prayers directly
related to his intentions. I didn’t think that I have achieved fully my pastoral plan. There are
feelings I have failed to respond to which I intend to follow up in my next visit.

PASTORAL OPPORTUNITIES:
To visit Rene again and listen to his feelings of sadness and guilt, and the place of God in
his life.

THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION:
“Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt.
11:28
 VERBATIM PROCESSING

Looking into the MINISTRY:

HOW TO DO IT BETTER

Looking into the MINISTER:

INCREASE AWARENESS

1. Mark or underline the good points that need to be appreciated and affirmed.
Emphasize their depth.

2. Note patterns being evidenced.

3. Stretch, challenge ideas that surface as well as personal assumptions, beliefs…

4. Look into reactions that may be coming from “secret” or “blind” or “unknown”
areas of the person.