Traditions on Ash Wednesday, also surgery that day

[Kathryn_Ann]

Hi,

These are questions about the traditions of attending the Ash Wednesday Mass and what I should do if my doctor scheduled surgery for that day.

I just learned that my surgery is scheduled for Ash Wed., Feb. 13, 2013. It’s the earliest day my surgeon can get me in, and I need this operation. It may be an outpatient procedure, but I will need some pain medications and at least several days to a week of recovery time.

Is it allowable to have surgery on a Holy Day of Obligation? Or should I try to change this to a later date, despite my need for the surgery?

The hospital is a Catholic one. Should I ask for Holy Communion before or after the surgery? There is going to be at least two hours of Pre Op things going on and lots of waiting.

Do I need to have Holy Communion in order to have ashes put on, or should I just not participate at all? I worry that I’ll need to go to confession if this is a sin, missing the Ash Wednesday Mass.

I am sorry that this is the earliest day available, but should I worry about this? I’ve been thinking that I can have a very deep Ash Wednesday experience, thinking of all that the upcoming Lent will mean, and how vulnerable we humans are, and how Christ overcame death at His Resurrection. Any scriptures, traditions or ideas you can share to help me with this will be very much appreciated. My husband has been very ill too, and if he also has surgery anywhere near that time, our doctors are working together to arrange his home health care again, especially if I’m unable to do very much for up to a week.

Thank you for any thoughts you have on this and your prayers.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Is it allowable to have surgery on a Holy Day of Obligation? Or should I try to change this to a later date, despite my need for the surgery?

Ash Wednesday is NOT a holy day of obligation. Having surgery on that day is up to you and your doctor.

The hospital is a Catholic one. Should I ask for Holy Communion before or after the surgery? There is going to be at least two hours of Pre Op things going on and lots of waiting.

I don’t have a huge amount of hospital experience, but what happened when I was in the hospital was that an extraordinary minister brought communion to the hospital room at a particular time of day. I don’t think they would be allowed in the pre-op area, just the regular rooms. So depending on when you are back to your room you may be available to receive communion or you may have missed the visit.

Do I need to have Holy Communion in order to have ashes put on, or should I just not participate at all? I worry that I’ll need to go to confession if this is a sin, missing the Ash Wednesday Mass.

There’s no requirement to go to Mass on Ash Wednesday. There’s also no requirement to go to Mass to receive ashes. By that, I mean that ashes can also be given outside of Mass.

If it were me, I wouldn’t worry about the ashes at all. My concern would be to receive the sacrament of Anointing before my surgery and Reconciliation if it seemed beneficial.

 

[curlycool89]

I just wanted to add a few thing.

If you are going to be receiving general anaesthetic (sometimes called “getting put to sleep” in laymans terms) for the surgery, then you SHOUDLD NOT receive communion that day because you are not suppose to eat anything before general anaesthetic (usually from midnight on). (The Body of Christ is true food, as Jesus Himself said, so it counts as eating something)

Because you are in a medical situation I would say that you are also exempted from fasting and abstinence that day that is normally required of a Catholic on Ash Wednesday (although even after surgery you usually aren’t that hungry, so it probably doesn’t matter). Depending on recovery, you could conceivably say that extends to the Friday after too if all you can eat is chicken noodle soup.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

SuscipeMeDomine gave the essential answer. Ash Wednesday, despite its enormous and strange (strange when it comes to non-practicing Catholics who come out of the woodwork to get ashes, that is) popularity, is not a Holy Day of Obligation.

Also, even if it was a serious medical procedure would likely exempt you from the obligation, though you should check with a priest if a similar situation arises in the future when something really does conflict with a Holy Day of Obligation.

The main thing instead is to receive anointing of the sick. I wonder if it would be possible and liturgically appropriate to receive ashes at the same time. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to ask.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

(although even after surgery you usually aren’t that hungry,

That’s because they hook you up to an IV and “feed” you that way.

If it was me, the only thing I’d be concerned about is making sure I’m as spiritually prepared to go “just in case”.

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

Just the OP stepping in to say thank you all for these very precise and helpful answers. I’m a Catholic convert (since 2004) so I really appreciate everyone’s help.

I wish I could respond to each and every answer, but please know that I am reading every single one and am so grateful for all the advice and help with the traditions. I am amazed at what I still have to learn! I had not thought of many of these things and would have been lost without your answers and thoughtful responses!
Thank you!
Kathryn Ann:angel1:

 

[Mrs_Sally]

You’ve gotten your answer. Just wanted to say that I will be praying for you.

 

[odile53]

I just went through spine surgery a month ago, and discussed my situation with my pastor. I went to confession and received the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick the day before surgery. My preoperative orders were nothing whatsoever to eat or drink from midnight on the day of surgery, and that would include the Eucharist. It even included not chewing a piece of gum.

Since recovery from this surgery involves bone healing, which takes several months and requires proper nutrition to be successful, Father told me that this year I am exempt from the requirement to fast or abstain during Lent including Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, as I would still be considered “sick and recovering” at those times. He also dispensed me from the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday if the weather is slippery and would pose a risk of falling (and further injury) for me. He brought that up: I hadn’t even thought about it ahead of time.

I am quite fortunate, however: He has been out to the house to hear my confession once since surgery last month, and our deacon brings me communion weekly (usually, Saturday afternoon.)

I am hoping the weather breaks soon and I don’t have to worry about falling on ice and can get to Mass. As wonderful as these accommodations are, it doesn’t replace actually being there for me emotionally, although I am not sinning and and receiving communion.

Many, if not most, parishes are extremely accommodating for the sick and housebound. If your condition is that serious, you are to follow your doctor’s orders, and bring the matter up with your priest.

Other posters are absolutely right, however: Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation in the dioceses of the United States. Neither is Good Friday, since there is no Mass said on Good Friday.

I will pray for a successful outcome for your procedure, and your quick restoration to good health.