As of: March 29, 2024, 10:00 a.m
By: Andrea Beschorner
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The afternoon in the Diocesan Museum was sincere and moving under the heading: “Dying”. The numerous guests listened eagerly. © Lehmann
Let's talk about dying. The “Dimu Inspires” conversation series recently took two perspectives on the end of life. Once it was about the approaching death of Jesus. And then about your own.
Freising
- Christ resting on one side. Your own death on the other side. The art is illuminated by Wolfgang A. Herrmann, President Emeritus of the TU Munich. The process of dying is discussed by Josef Phillip, internist and long-time director of the gastroenterology department at the Freising Clinic.
The two appeared together on the stage of the Diocesan Museum as part of the Passion Time discussions. Christ in rest or Christ in misery is usually depicted in Christian art as a sculpture, rarely as a painting. In Dimu, Christ Resting by Stephan Rottaler stands in the middle of the permanent exhibition. Wolfgang A. Herrmann brought his own copy, which he had bought at auction a few years ago as a Christmas present for his son. What all these depictions have in common: all the misery, all the suffering is shown in an impressive way. “All torments and humiliations are reflected in this final rest before the crucifixion.” In contrast, Christ radiates strength and determination.
In the face of death, he pauses to reflect. And “even if we all hope that the time of our own death lies in the distant future, contemplating Christ in repose cannot harm any of us,” said Herrmann after an inspiring excursion into Christian art – and handed over to Prof .Dr. Philip.
Wolfgang A. Herrmann examined the topic of “dying” from the perspective of Christian art, Josef Phillip from the perspective of a doctor. © Lehmann
Your own death
“The biggest risk in life is giving birth. It ends in death for everyone.” With this quote, Phillip moved on to dying from the perspective of a doctor. Birth and death – “there are many parallels”. The most important one: “Both processes usually work best when they are not disturbed.” The natural dying process often takes place in phases. “You can see signs of approaching death,” the doctor explained. Dying people stop eating and drinking. He dispelled the myth that dying people should not be allowed to die of thirst. “Man does not die because he no longer eats or drinks. Instead, he no longer eats or drinks because he is dying.” Food, including infusions, disrupt the process because the energy can no longer be processed. During the dying phase, endorphins are released and pain sensitivity decreases in this last phase of life. The best remedy for shortness of breath is morphine in good doses. Valium and benzodiazepines are the drugs of choice for anxiety. When dying, metabolism and body functions slow down, so that death ultimately occurs due to organ failure. Bluish fingers, rapid, shallow, irregular breathing, an altered consciousness: all of this can accompany the dying process. Symptoms of poisoning often occur, which makes the dying person sleepy.
Facilitate the dying process
And then there was the big question of how to make the dying process easier – “for some people it is a matter of the heart to accompany a loved one on their final journey”. The most important thing is: “Nobody wants a loved one to die. And yet: let the dying person go. Everyone deserves to die in peace.”
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Despite everything, it should never be forgotten: “The dying process is individual for everyone.” The optimal support can be provided in palliative care units. “We are very fortunate in Freising to have the entire range of palliative care available.” Phillip also referred to the Hospice Group Freising, the Specialized Outpatient Palliative Care (SAPV) and the Sophienhospice in Erding. “I hope they don’t need these institutions, but if they do, I can assure them that they are very, very well looked after.”
At the end of the afternoon, Wolfgang A. Herrmann built a bridge: Because there is one thing that connects Christ in his rest with all the dying: “We all walk the final path alone.”