Imagine finding out that your child was in an accident. Can you even begin to experience the pain you’d face? What would you do?

Patrick Madrid responded to Avellino, a listener from Houston, who’s going through every parent’s nightmare—his son was struck by lightning and is now unconscious with severe injuries. Avellino is struggling with decisions about life support, feeding, and hydration, and he reached out for guidance on what the Church teaches about these tough choices.

Patrick, as always, was full of compassion and clear advice. He explained that when it comes to life support, things like ventilators are considered “extraordinary measures.” The Church says it’s okay to discontinue these if they’re the only thing keeping someone alive and there’s no hope of recovery. But when it comes to the basics—like food and water—Patrick emphasized that these are considered “ordinary care” and must be provided as long as the body can handle them. Even if it means using a feeding tube, this care is non-negotiable because it’s about preserving life in its most basic form.

He also shared an important Church teaching, saying that even if someone is in a permanent vegetative state, they still have human dignity and deserve this basic care. It’s about honoring life, even in its most fragile state.

Patrick didn’t stop there. He also recommended a really insightful book, “Now and at the Hour of Our Death,” which looks into making moral decisions at the end of life. It’s one of those resources that can really help you understand the Church’s teachings in these situations, and Patrick just happened to have it handy in the studio. 📚

Patrick gave a special shout-out to CatholicLegacy.com, urging you to check it out. He explained how setting up a Catholic healthcare directive can give you peace of mind, ensuring that your care, or that of your loved ones, stays true to your faith, even if you’re not in a position to make decisions yourself. It will be well worth your time if you look into it.

Patrick reminded Avellino that miracles do happen and that his son’s life is still precious. Let’s all be sure to pray for him. 

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