A Catholic priest in Yakima, Washington, took urgent action to assist a homeless woman giving birth outside St. Paul Cathedral in September. The Rev. Jesús Mariscal, who had been leaving the rectory to buy doughnuts for a marriage preparation meeting, heard the woman’s cries for help and rushed to her aid.
The woman, in distress and visibly in labor, called out, “I need help! I’m having a baby.” Mariscal immediately dialed 911 and followed the operator’s guidance on how to assist with the delivery.
Moments later, the woman gave birth to a baby boy, but soon afterward, she indicated that another baby was on the way. Mariscal helped deliver the second baby, who was still encased in the amniotic sac. Following instructions from the 911 operator, Mariscal broke the sac and found that the infant was not breathing, with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. He carefully followed the operator’s advice, turning the baby on his side and tapping his back until the baby began to cry.
Once both infants were safely delivered, Mariscal wrapped the babies in towels and waited for paramedics. The newborns, born premature, and their mother were taken to a local hospital, where they are reported to be doing well. Mariscal later visited them in the hospital.
Mariscal humorously texted the engaged couple he had been delayed to meet, apologizing for his tardiness and explaining, “I’m sorry I’m late for our appointment. I was just helping a lady deliver twins.” Initially, the couple thought it was a joke.
Yakima Bishop Joseph J. Tyson praised Mariscal’s actions and emphasized the importance of addressing homelessness, noting that over 25,000 people were considered homeless in Washington state in January, reflecting a significant increase from previous years.
Mariscal remarked that the experience was “surreal,” and he expressed a sense of divine purpose in the event. He highlighted the importance of serving those on the margins of society, calling them “the protagonists of God’s love.”
