Saint Joseph's Hospital

When driving down the highway if you see a building with a large cross on the top of it, you assume it is a church. In this case it is actually a hospital; Saint Joseph’s Hospital. Many different spaces can religious or sacred as explained in Kathryn Lofton's "The Spirit in the Cubicle: A Religious History of the American Office". Saint Joseph hospital can be as a religious space for a variety of reasons.

First, the hospital is full of Christian iconography. There are copious stained glass windows depicting biblical scenes or saints. The rooms for patients have crucifixes above the doors. There are signs advertising mass and worship throughout the building. It is clear from these examples that this hospital has religious affiliations. Because of the name of the hospital and the depiction of saints it is most likely a Catholic affiliation. The hospital can be a considered a religious space for these reasons.

            But it can also be considered a religious/sacred space because of the ritualized aspect of what occurs there. There are prescribed ways to act when you are visiting someone in a hospital. You are quiet when walking through the hallways. You politely ask for directions when you got lost (which I did several times when trying to visit my great grandfather). If a doctor is in the room you are silent and wait patiently to hear what they a have to say. You tend to bring flowers or cards or stuffed animals depending on who you are visiting. These ritualized aspects of behavior created a sense of religiosity.

            Two other reasons that the hospital can be considered a sacred space is because of the life and death cycle that is occurring constantly. Life and death are both central in religions and have various rituals associated with them. The birth of a child is cause for joyous celebration. If the child is born into a family with a Christian faith tradition the child will most likely be baptized soon after birth. Death is also significant in the Christian tradition. It is only through death that the righteous can get to heaven. Burials and memorial services are often religious in nature; prayers are said and priests are often leading the service.

            The hospital can be seen as a religious/sacred and ritualized space for a variety of reasons. Some obvious like the Christian iconography. Others more deeply rooted such as the ritualized practices of visiting a hospital. Life and death are also prevalent in the hospital setting and both are part of religious life and practice.