Saint Joseph London Hosts ‘Blessing of the Rigs’ for First Responders

LONDON, Ky. (June 16, 2022) – Saint Joseph London on Thursday held a “Blessing of the Rigs” event to honor and bless first responders in the Bardstown area, and recognize their dedication to the local community each day. The event was one of several across CHI Saint Joseph Health, which invited first responders to attend the event during which they each received a nondenominational blessing for themselves and the rigs they use to transport patients. 

Along with Saint Joseph London, CHI Saint Joseph Health also held this event at Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Flaget Memorial Hospital. 

This is the second year CHI Saint Joseph Health has held this event at its facilities across the state, as they help celebrate humankindness in communities. Humankindness is embedded in the call to serve at CHI Saint Joseph Health. 

“Humankindness is not only part of CHI Saint Joseph Health’s call to serve our community, but it’s also woven into our values of Compassion, Inclusion, Integrity, Excellence and Collaboration,” said John Yanes, president, Saint Joseph London. “We are committed to demonstrating kindness in serving our communities, and we know that first responders have the same dedication and values. We are proud to help show our support for these heroes and recognize their service.”

As part of the “Blessing of the Rigs” event, first responders were treated to lunch and received a blessing memento – keychains featuring the patron saint for each profession, St. Florian for firefighters and St. Michael the Archangel for EMTs, as well as a prayer card that asks for protection and guidance.

Click here to download photos from today’s events. 

About CHI Saint Joseph Health

CHI Saint Joseph Health, part of CommonSpirit Health, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 100 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory Care Center. The hospitals in CHI Saint Joseph Health are Flaget Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. CHI Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to providing a wide array of services toward a goal of building a healthier future for all. CHI Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves. 

About Saint Joseph London

Saint Joseph London is a 150-bed full-service hospital located in London, Kentucky. Established in 1926, the facility serves patients from southeastern Kentucky, including those from Clay, Laurel, Jackson, Whitley, Knox and Pulaski counties. The current $152 million regional hospital opened in 2010, and offers all private patient rooms, with most overlooking a small lake and garden on the 52-acre healing environment. 

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