Holy Week with a Twist

I spent nearly the entire Holy Week in a hospital this year.


Because we're now more 'progressive', the country no longer goes on a silent mode or a stand still during this period when Catholics are traditionally called to meditate on the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. Over the last decade, more establishments have opted to remain open, family rules and routines have altered a bit, and it's turned more and more into a time to take an annual vacation from work; very timely, too, since it happens in the summer.

In our own home, while we do take this opportunity to enjoy a break from the usual, out of town or not, we try to stay away from commercial leisure places and activities, make sure to attend the important masses celebrating the most relevant events leading to Easter. Apart from offering a sacrifice (say, avoiding Facebook or alcoholic beverages), fasting and abstinence, we've retained these top 5 from family and church traditions, give or take a few "adjustments":

1. Maundy Thursday Mass/Washing of the Feet
2. Visita Iglesia - or Visiting 7 Churches
3. Stations of the Cross and Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday
4. Easter Vigil Mass
5. Easter Mass

But, like I mentioned, we skipped most of these this year because of a prolonged stay at the hospital. Here's what became our modified Holy Week line up:

1. I rushed my husband to the E.R. for abdominal pains and fever (which began last Palm Sunday) on Tuesday. He was then confined for observations and tests to diagnose, given an IV and put on a liquid diet.
2. By Wednesday, we were told that he had gall stones and possibly an inflamed gall bladder, and therefore, needed surgery to remove the ailing body part. We began the search for a good surgeon and surgical team members -- cardiologist, anaesthesiologist, etc. -- who were not on holiday leave, while the current attending M.D. worked on managing the infection. 
3. Thursday -- now on a fast, my husband was prepped for surgery on. My mother visited, then slipped and fractured her foot on her way out of the hospital. Thanks to a very accommodating ER team and hospital management, she was wheeled out to the car, and went home with foot in a cast, but otherwise alright. 
4. Friday morning.  After some complications, the laparoscopic cholesystectomy was successfully performed, and he was on his way to recovery. 
5. By Easter Sunday, he was discharged.

As for me, I had my own sacrificing, suffering, and stations of the cross to perform, since I was, by virtue of being the wife and mother, the appointed companion, errand girl, medical researcher, and I had to drive from hospital to home and back, making sure the kids were okay.

All in all, although we went through the tribulations, we went home relieved, renewed, and recharged. A somewhat parellel walk, although one we'll never claim to be even close to in terms of intensity, with Jesus Christ. It wouldn't have turned out so well, actually, had family and friends not been there to help. Happy Easter to all!