Each week a member of the Vincentian Family will share a part of his/her experience during recent months. From the depths of their heart these writers will present a message of hope because we are convinced that there are positive lessons to be learned from this pandemic.

This situation that we have experienced as a Family — and I, as a doctor on the front-lines treating COVID-19 patients — has forced us to return to our essence. As a family, to return to those small things and discover anew the power of being together (I cannot tell you how much loneliness I have seen in the hospital!), to look deeper within ourselves and to have greater trust in the Lord.

Often, as doctors, we feel with our very hands the suffering body of Christ in our brothers and sisters who are infirm. During this pandemic I have been able to experience that more than ever before. We have had to accompany patients who are very infirm and who are, also, alone. Informing families about their loved one’s condition and doing this over the phone has been very difficult.

The truth is that I have had the feeling of being very small in the face of this worldwide disaster, but I have been strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Fortunately, we are not alone, we have a community. I belong to the Catholic music group “Maranatha”  and I have felt the nearness of the prayers of my brothers and sisters and feel that we are “together” in the midst of this situation, even though we have been unable to see one another or come together to rehearse. Being able to pick up the guitar during my free time and sing and pray to the Lord has given me rest and refreshed me and strengthened me to continue the journey.

One day, Juan Francisco, a patient who was very seriously ill, said: I believe when all this passes, we will be better people, we will give more importance to small things, we will go to the essence of things. I believe that we will greater recourse to God. I pray that Juan is right! Amen.

Luis Broseta,
Medical Internist at the General Hospital
of the University of Albacete (Spain)