Lesson Fifteen - Anointing of the Sick

Text by Pat Austin, St. Patrick's Cathedral RCIA Instructor.

Catechism #1499 -- "By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests, the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that He may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ." VatII, LG, Jas., Rom., Col, Tim., Pet.

Balt. Catechism -- "the sacrament which, through the anointing with blessed oil by the priest, and through his prayer, gives health and strength to the soul, and sometimes to the body, when we are in danger of death from sickness, accident, or old age."

Often referred to as the Last Rites of the Church.

It used to be called Extreme Unction from the end of the 1100's to Vatican II. Before the 1100's this sacrament was called the anointing of the sick. The name extreme unction meant, at that time, - last anointing - last of the 4 anointings that a Christian may receive -- Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, Extreme Unction. Unfortunately, this name, Extreme Unction, came to mean the last - it meant you were going to die. It is good that Vatican II returned to the former name.

Scriptural reference to this sacrament is Jas. 5:14-15, Mk. 6:12-13.

This sacrament is administered when we are in danger of death from sickness, accident or old age.

Catechism #1513 - The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill by anointing them on the forehead and hands with duly blessed oil - pressed from olives or from other plants - saying, only once: "Through this holy anointing may the Lord in His love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up."

The priest hears the confession of the sick person. The person receives Holy Communion if able. The Eucharist when given with this sacrament is called - Viaticum (travelling companion) - as one passes over from death to life, from this world to the Father. The person is anointed with blessed oil by the priest. Prayers are said for the health and strength of the soul and body.

The Sacrament increases Sanctifying Grace in the soul.

The sacramental grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the sick has as its effects (Catechism #1532):

• The uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own and that of the whole Church;
• The strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age;
• The forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance;
• The restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul;
• The preparation for passing over to eternal life.

Don't delay in calling the priest. However, if the person dies before the priest arrives, the priest can anoint for a certain time after death. This sacrament can be received more than once.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders

Catechism #1536 -- "Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his Apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate."

Why is it called "orders?" In Roman times the word order referred to an established civil body, especially a governing body. Ordinatio means incorporation into an ordo. Today the word ordination is reserved for the sacramental act which integrates a man into the order of bishops, presbyters, or deacons. Catechism #1538

The word sacrifice is important in understanding -- priest.

Sacrifice is prayer-in-action of a group. One offers the sacrifice in the name of the group. That one is the priest.

The reason for sacrifice is to Adore God, Thank God, Atone for our sins to God and to petition God for our needs.

Throughout the Old Testament, Sacrifice was offered by a priest. This was the Old Law. Jesus gave us the new law -- the Law of Love. Jesus was the sacrifice. ON Good Friday He was the sacrifice which would be remembered always in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass which He instituted on Holy Thursday using the gifts of bread and wine. In the Mass Jesus gives us the opportunity to unite ourselves with Him in that offering.

Who would be the human priest who would make Jesus present on the alter under the appearances of bread and wine. Jesus chose eleven priests, the Apostles. "Do this in remembrance of Me." Lk. 22:20 Jesus gave them the power to change bread and wine into His body and blood.

Another power that only priests possess is the power to forgive sins. This was given to the Apostles on Easter Sunday night -- "Receive the Holy Spirit ... Whose sins ... Jn. 20:22-23

These powers of the priest come down from Christ to the present day through the Bishops who are the direct successors of Peter and the Apostles. It is the Bishop that receives the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders.

The sacrament of Holy Orders differs from the other Sacraments in two ways:

1. Only the Bishop can ordain.
2. The Sacrament is not received all at once. It has three stages - laying on of hands

• Transitory Deacon -- one studying for the priesthood. Usually ordained a priest within a year of bring ordained a deacon. As a deacon he may baptize, preach and give Holy Communion.
• Permanent Deacon -- lay person - assisting priest - permanent deacon cannot say Mass, cannot hear confessions and cannot anoint the sick
• Priest - consecrate bread and wine, forgive sins
• Bishop - confirm and ordain

Protestants do not have the Mass because there are no valid priests.

The Greek Orthodox have valid priests but not in union with Rome because they dispute the authority of the Pope. Reference: Page 502

Eastern Churches - Pages 502-503

Basically, there are two types of priests - Diocesan and Order priests.

Order Priests -- are ordained into a special community with the whole world as their work area -- missionary or cloistered in a monastery. There are many different special communities in the Catholic Church. Each community is governed by a Superior General who is responsible to Rome. These Orders/Communities had to be approved by the Holy Father. They have a constitution which governs them. These priests take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. These orders/communities are usually founded by Saints or holy men.

Jesuits - 1540 - St. Ignatius Loyola -- S.J.
Dominicans - 1221 0 St. Dominic -- O.P.
Franciscians - 1226 - St. Francis of Assisi - O.F.M.
Benedictines - 547 - St. Benedict -- O.B.
Edmundites - 1800's St. Edmund -- S, S,E.

Religious men, usually they are called Brothers, live in these special communities, but never are ordained priests. They do take vows.

Assignment: Text: Chapter 5 pages 62-64; Chapters 6, 29, 30, 31 and 32
Catechism: Sections 26, 31 and 32