Annointing of the Sick at Healing Masses

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Hey folks,

I thought the sacrament of the Annointing of the Sick was reserved for people with serious illnesses.

How does that work at a healing mass?

Thanks.
 
TrueLight said:
Hey folks,

I thought the sacrament of the Annointing of the Sick was reserved for people with serious illnesses.

How does that work at a healing mass?

Thanks.
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The only Healing Masses (in the Latin Church) I have been to is one for those who suffer from cancer. At the time of the Anointing of the Sick the priest called forward all of us who have cancer.

The Byzantine rite Churches have a tradition of anointing everyone after certain Holy Day Divine Liturgies.
 
“The anointing of the sick conveys several graces and imparts gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement, and temptation, and conveys peace and fortitude” (CCC 1520)

Serious illness, of course. However, I’ve known people to be anointed before surgery(major or minor), before medical tests, recovering from surgery/ medical procedures, etc.
 
ByzCath said:
The only Healing Mass I have been to is one for those who suffer from cancer. At the time of the Anointing of the Sick the priest called forward all of us who have cancer.
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That makes sense.

I’m wondering if there is ever a call for healing in general, whether minor ailments or anxiety, etc.
 
asia53 said:
“The anointing of the sick conveys several graces and imparts gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement, and temptation, and conveys peace and fortitude” (CCC 1520)
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Right. So that’s what I need to understand. Is this the actual Sacrament? What used to be called extreme unction?

If so, it doesn’t seem to be the same sacrament if it is used for discouragement, temptation etc.
 
TrueLight said:
Right. So that’s what I need to understand. Is this the actual Sacrament? What used to be called extreme unction?

If so, it doesn’t seem to be the same sacrament if it is used for discouragement, temptation etc.
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You ask the most interesting questions. 😉

My understanding, now, I could be wrong–someone correct me, please.

Extreme unction is for the dying. Anointing of the sick is for people who still have hope of getting better, etc.

How could the sacrament be used for discouragement, temptation, etc? :confused:
 
It is the same sacrament, but it is only to be used for those who are seriously ill (though not necessarily definitely dying).

On the surface it seems entirely appropriate to me to incorporate this sacrament into the Mass, but the problem would be knowing if anyone coming forward for the sacrament is not in fact seriously, physically ill.

It would certainly make sense to me to have a “healing mass” like this in a hospital or nursing home. Not sure how many people who are that ill would make it to a healing mass in an ordinary parish (or should be encouraged to try). Although, I seem to recall hearing Fr. Benedict Groeschel mention something once about Anointing of the Sick being open to everyone over a certain age, I think 70. I think that makes sense- for the very old their age itself brings with it a state of infirmity and prospect of death and so can be considered a physical illness, though it’s not PC to speak that way about age these days.
 
The last “healing Mass” at my parish did not offer Anointing of the Sick at all, but was a Charismatic service with the auxiliary bishop presiding.
 
Aelred_Minor said:
Although, I seem to recall hearing Fr. Benedict Groeschel mention something once about Anointing of the Sick being open to everyone over a certain age, I think 70. I think that makes sense- for the very old their age itself brings with it a state of infirmity and prospect of death and so can be considered a physical illness, though it’s not PC to speak that way about age these days.
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Well these days 70 is not so old.
 
Oh yes, there is the question of how sick is “seriously sick.” The account I’ve heard, though I don’t know if this is official, is that the illness should be serious enough to bring up the prospect of death, even if it’s not clear it will in fact be terminal.
 
TrueLight said:
Well these days 70 is not so old.
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That’s true, sort of. Most people will still be retired by 70, though that’s getting less true than it once was. Also just because a sacrament is open to someone doesn’t mean they necessarily should go for it. Some 70 year olds are quite infirm while others are spry.
 
We have anointing of the sick at a healing mass at least a couple of times a year. In addition, if anyone is facing surgery Father will come to your house to anoint you individually. One thing that has been strongly impressed upon the ‘anointing team’ is that you never, ever ask someone ‘what’s wrong with you’ or say, ‘you sure don’t look sick to me.’

Our anointing team just helps organize the people to receive the sacrament, getting them in the right pews with name tags and stuff like that. But I’m pretty sure that anyone who feels in need of it is allowed to receive. I guess it’s between them and God, and none of my business.

When I was going into the hospital for an angioplasty last fall, Father called and offered to come over to my house so I could receive Extreme Unction. At first I was horrified - I thought that was only for the dying! But when he explained it to me I was more than willing (relieved, even) to receive it, and I did receive a lot of peace with it.
 
TrueLight said:
Hey folks,

I thought the sacrament of the Annointing of the Sick was reserved for people with serious illnesses.

How does that work at a healing mass?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
I know I’m late to the thread but here goes…

First, yes, the Sacrament is “reserved for people with serious illnesses.” There’s no question about that. It’s not for minor illnesses, and it’s not for the healthy. Defining “serious illness” has been a question ever since Pope Paul VI promulgated the new rite of Unction/Anointing in 1972.

There is a special Mass text to be used when Anointing is done within Mass. The prayers (collect, offertory, post-Communion and preface) are all unique to that Mass, and there are special insertions into the Eucharistic Prayers, and a special introduction which is done before the Penitential Rite. If you have the book “Pastoral Care of the Sick” it’s all described here.

The actual Rite of Anointing is done after the homily (or Gospel).

Anyone may participate in this Mass, but ONLY the seriously ill may be anointed.

Here’s a good resource from the CDF:
adoremus.org/CDF-Healing.html
 
FrDavid96 said:
I know I’m late to the thread but here goes…

First, yes, the Sacrament is “reserved for people with serious illnesses.” There’s no question about that. It’s not for minor illnesses, and it’s not for the healthy. Defining “serious illness” has been a question ever since Pope Paul VI promulgated the new rite of Unction/Anointing in 1972.

There is a special Mass text to be used when Anointing is done within Mass. The prayers (collect, offertory, post-Communion and preface) are all unique to that Mass, and there are special insertions into the Eucharistic Prayers, and a special introduction which is done before the Penitential Rite. If you have the book “Pastoral Care of the Sick” it’s all described here.

The actual Rite of Anointing is done after the homily (or Gospel).

Anyone may participate in this Mass, but ONLY the seriously ill may be anointed.

Here’s a good resource from the CDF:
adoremus.org/CDF-Healing.html
Click to expand...
Thanks. This is a great resource.
 
A parish near me which is next to a large hospital does a regular Wednesday Mass as described by Fr. David.

I go there occasionally, and many in wheelchairs, extremely elderly, developmentally disabled, those who are clearly undergoing chemotherapy, etc. come for annointing. It is moving.

One time a police officer, big strapping guy in uniform was in line for anointing. I figure it was prostate cancer or something which is not readily apparent. 🤷

-Tim-
 
ByzCath said:
The Byzantine rite Churches have a tradition of anointing everyone after certain Holy Day Divine Liturgies.
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Holy Wednesday is the only one of which I’m aware, and yes, it’s all of us sacramentally.

Two men, usually servers, hold the Gospel (the large one used for Liturgy) open over each person’s head. All come forward, and each receives the full annointing.

When time permits, the same form is used after Liturgy for those in general need, or those about to face surgery.

I’d always been skeptical about the healing Masses. Not all that long ago, though, an elderly friend attended one at the RC church up the street th a visiting priest. I think it was a variant of asbestosis that he had in dormant form. He was informed by th priest that he no longer had it, which was confirmed by befuddled physicians . . .

AMDG

hawk
 
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