The annual Blessing of the Hands ceremony is a highlight of every Nurses Week celebration at Advocate South Suburban Hospital, 17800 Kedzie Ave., in Hazel Crest.

“Despite the limitations for human hands on touch with this pandemic, our nurses have embraced other ways to ‘touch’ patients and their families.

When the need for social distancing ruled out the traditional gathering of the hospital’s more than 400 registered and certified nurses for one large ceremony, Advocate South Suburban’s nursing team kicked-off a virtual chain of blessings.

“As it turns out, the smaller ceremonies are adding a little more intimacy and emotion as nurses who deliver care together are reflecting as a team.”

Advocate South Suburban nurses are inviting other nurses within and outside their hospital to repeat and share the blessings.