Visitation Prelude

Father Raynor hated the drive to Elgin, and the persistent evening rain made the traffic all the more aggravating. He asked himself why it couldn’t have waited until morning, but he knew this visit simply could not wait. He needed to see the patient at the Elgin Mental Hospital immediately.

He still had a lump in his throat from when Janice Swiernowski , the Night Supervisor at the hospital, had called that afternoon. Janice was one of the first altar girls at St. Joe’s when he was assigned there. She didn’t go to church much, but they still kept in touch. The hospital had a patient who was admitted for dementia and attempted suicide; even though heavily sedated, he communicated that he wanted to see a priest. Could I do the whole staff a favor and visit this “nut case”? Father reminded Janice her hospital was full of people with mental illness.
“Father,” Janice said matter-of-factly, “This guy’s the whole basket of fruit --- a real religious nut, too.”

“Alright, Jan,” Father Raynor gave in. “I’ll come over.
“What’s the patient’s name, anyway?”
“Culpa,” Janice said, “Felix Culpa, room 309. Stop at the nurses’ station first and I’ll go with you.”