By Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu
March 23 is Mum’s birthday.
Early in the morning, around 5 o’clock, I received a message from my sister containing data about our Mum’s heartbeat, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels. Although the numbers are objective and devoid of emotion, they quietly touched our nerves, indicating that life was entering a fragile and critical moment. My sister reminded us once again: today, we need to be prepared. This was not only a medical preparation but also a spiritual readiness—to prepare for farewell.
Initially, the three of us planned to celebrate Mum’s birthday with two of our cousins in the evening. However, her condition suddenly worsened, prompting all of us to put aside our work and rush to the hospital. In that moment, I deeply realised that when confronted with life and death, all schedules and plans become less important, while love—a powerful force—naturally draws people together.
Not long after I arrived, I administered the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. For me, this was not the last rites but a sacrament full of hope. In prayer, we thanked God for Mum’s life and expressed gratitude for her silent sacrifices over the years. As I anointed her forehead, hands, and feet with holy oil, I recalled the words from the Letter of James: “The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” Even as her body weakened, her spirit was renewed in the Lord.
Afterwards, we began to prepare a bit for Mum’s birthday. My sister painted her nails with her favourite red nail polish—she always loved to dress up a little for holidays and birthdays, embracing the beauty of life. I applied moisturising cream to her skin and gently combed her hair, while our older sister prayed alongside us. These gestures seemed trivial, yet like prayers, they expressed our love, little by little.
When we all gathered around her, each of us took a turn, leaned close, and softly said, “Happy Birthday,” thanking her again for her hard work. I placed the prepared red envelope in her hand, and one by one, we stepped forward to receive her blessings. At that moment, I felt that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and this blessing was never one-sided; it was a mutual entrusting in love.
We had no cake or candles, but with grateful hearts, we celebrated Mum’s life. We thanked God for bringing her into this world, for being our mother, and for accompanying, guarding, and shaping our lives throughout her years.
Later, Lo Wai-tak, a friend of hers, came to visit Mum, accompanying her on her final journey. We prayed together again: thanking God for granting her life in the world, and entrusting her to the Lord, asking for new life in the Kingdom of Heaven, for her rebirth in eternity. We recited together: Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I offer my heart, my soul, my life to you. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, assist me at the hour of my death. Jesus, Mary, Joseph, grant me the grace to pass away in peace among you. Amen.
Mum slowly stopped breathing, and her heartbeat ceased as we prayed, responding to the call of grace, listening to the joyful greetings from heaven, and beginning her new life in the Father’s house.
Mum, happy birthday. May you rest peacefully in the Father’s embrace and awaken again, while we, in faith and hope, look forward to meeting you once more.
