Anointing of the Sick circumstances

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  1. Mental health. Mental illness can sometimes be cause for Anointing. That’s not just opinion. That question was answered affirmatively by the Holy See. I’d like to provide a citation for this (maybe someone else can). At the moment, I’m working from memory, but I am absolutely certain that in the mind of the Church mental illness is indeed cause for the Sacrament. Of course, like physical illness there are criteria to be followed (it’s not just for “any” kind of mental illness). As I said, at this moment I’m working from memory, so I won’t go into further details on this point without first refreshing my memory on exactly what the Church has to say.
Really? That’s kind of surprising. Would it be limited to suicidal cases? That’d make sense, but still be odd, since hospitalization can reduce that risk to effectively zero, if suicide is a probable danger.

I would be very interested to read that instruction/response, when you have time to locate it.
 
Regarding anointing prior to surgery, the introduction to the Rite, in n. 9, states: “A sick person may be anointed before surgery whenever a serious illness is the reason for the surgery.”

Dan
And that’s exactly what I’ve been trying to say all along.

It isn’t the surgery as such. It is the illness.

It might be the illness that prompts the surgery.

It might be another illness (such as a weak heart) which makes the surgery life-threatening.
(Even though that’s not stated directly in the Rite).

But either way, it’s still some illness and not the surgery itself that is cause for Anointing.
 
Really? That’s kind of surprising. Would it be limited to suicidal cases? That’d make sense, but still be odd, since hospitalization can reduce that risk to effectively zero, if suicide is a probable danger.

I would be very interested to read that instruction/response, when you have time to locate it.
Still looking. (Remember, I have other things to do at my desk.)

I am certain it’s there. Where “there” is I just cannot remember.
 
Really? That’s kind of surprising. Would it be limited to suicidal cases? That’d make sense, but still be odd, since hospitalization can reduce that risk to effectively zero, if suicide is a probable danger.

I would be very interested to read that instruction/response, when you have time to locate it.
Found it.

Pastoral Care of the Sick

#53
Some types of mental sickness are now classified as serious. Those who are judged to have a serious mental illness and who would be strengthened by the sacrament may be anointed. The anointing may be repeated in accordance with the conditions for other kinds of severe illness.
Yes, that’s brief. Still, it’s there.

I “found” it when reading an online article from Fr McN---- (I don’t like typing the full names of people who aren’t participating here, so I abbreviate them.)

His article is here (where he gives his full name by his own volition)

http://www.ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur334.htm
 
When a person is unwell through an illness that is impacting the daily function of their life then why if they feel the need and get the calling for the Sacrament of Healing can they not ask for it?
I wanted to address this earlier, but spent time on other things then just remembered now.

I am not saying that a person cannot ask for the Anointing. Nor am I saying that such a person would not be a recipient for Anointing.

An infirmity which seriously affects the quality of life of a person would be (in my assessment) a perfectly valid reason for the Sacrament of Anointing.

Please take note that what you are asking here is different from what I addressed earlier.
Here is what I actually posted:
It is not for “those who feel the need” because that can mean anything to anyone.
Please note the difference between what I posted and what you asked in your followup.

As I said merely feeling some need can nearly anything to anyone. That omits the very real responsibility of the priest to discern if someone is a proper candidate for Anointing.

On the extreme, someone might say “I feel the need because I didn’t sleep much last night, and I’m a bit tired today.” Needless to say, I would not anoint a person in that circumstance. So again, we should not be anointing people who merely say “I feel a need.” It must be more than that. It must be a genuine serious illness.

On the other hand, a person who has a condition that is not necessarily life-threatening, but does seriously affect the quality of life would (at least might) be a candidate. For example, a person who has such bad and widespread arthritis that the person is impeded from normal everyday functions such as walking short distances, or able to sit at a table and eat a meal, or even sit down for an hour and read a book or watch TV, without severe pain would (yes, would) be a candidate for anointing.

Does that help to clarify?
 
Yes. And as an Eastern practice that is laudable. Unfortunately, some have tried to impose a similar practice on the Latin Church…where it is clearly an illicit practice.
 
I got anointing for the first time, earlier this year, for my dysautonomia (POTS) and classical ehlers danlos syndrome (EDS) - it definitely has helped me bear it.
 
Thank you for spending the time to reply. What I meant by ‘feel the need’ was meant in light of illnesses that affects ones quality of life and the desire or prompting from the Lord to recieve this healing Sacrement.

As I mentioned earlier I was not clear in my wording. Perhaps a little bit KiwiEnglsih and a tad pakaru.😄
 
I got anointing for the first time, earlier this year, for my dysautonomia (POTS) and classical ehlers danlos syndrome (EDS) - it definitely has helped me bear it.
Hi @Jilly9 thank you for your reponse I am so pleased that you have received healing from Our Lord. Thanks Be to God. 😄
 
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An infirmity which seriously affects the quality of life of a person would be (in my assessment) a perfectly valid reason for the Sacrament of Anointing.
The argument has been made that the term “serious illness” in the Rite can be interpreted to apply to illnesses which have no possibility of being lethal. But given that the Church elsewhere states expressly that it is for those who “begin to be in danger of death”, wouldn’t it be more reasonable to hold that “serious illness” means the same (especially given that the translation of that phrase is difficult)?

Sacrosanctum Concilium #73 “Extreme unction,” which may also and more fittingly be called “anointing of the sick,” is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as any one of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived.

Can. 1004 §1. The anointing of the sick can be administered to a member of the faithful who, having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age.
 
Absolutely:

The latest understanding is ANYONE who is “aged” or extremely Ill, near death or undergoing a serious operation qualifies; so DO contact your Pastor ASAP

May God and His Angels hold you in the palm of HIS Hand

Patrick
 
apparently you are not aware of the fact that anesthesiologists have soe of the highest, if not the highest malpractice premiums. Why? Because they are taking the person down to near death, and sometimes, oh golly, the person simply dies on the table.

Anyone who is going under anesthesia is at risk for not coming back.

So, what are you going to tell the family, when someone asks you and you tell them what you said in this post, and the family tells you he/she died on the operating table and they ask you why you did not anoint?

Anesthesia is life threatening.
Apparently, YOU are not aware of the difference between an illness and a medical procedure.

The Sacrament is administered because of some ILLNESS.

Anesthesia is not an illness. Surgery is not an illness.

One of the most dangerous jobs is a truck driver (lots of highway accidents).

I do not anoint truck drivers and ask God to deliver them from their occupations because the job is dangerous.

Nor do I anoint steel workers or roofers because their job is dangerous. I anoint them if they have a serious illness.

I DO anoint people who are seriously ill and ask God to deliver them from that illness.
 
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FrDavid96:
An infirmity which seriously affects the quality of life of a person would be (in my assessment) a perfectly valid reason for the Sacrament of Anointing.
The argument has been made that the term “serious illness” in the Rite can be interpreted to apply to illnesses which have no possibility of being lethal. But given that the Church elsewhere states expressly that it is for those who “begin to be in danger of death”, wouldn’t it be more reasonable to hold that “serious illness” means the same (especially given that the translation of that phrase is difficult)?

Sacrosanctum Concilium #73 “Extreme unction,” which may also and more fittingly be called “anointing of the sick,” is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as any one of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived.

Can. 1004 §1. The anointing of the sick can be administered to a member of the faithful who, having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age.
It’s is one step, one ambiguous and undefined step, before “begins to be in danger of death.”

The reason is that what the Fathers actually said at Vatican II is that by that time (begins to be), the time for Anointing has already arrived.

So once a serious illness is known, then Anointing is appropriate.
 
apparently you are not aware of the fact that anesthesiologists have soe of the highest, if not the highest malpractice premiums. Why? Because they are taking the person down to near death, and sometimes, oh golly, the person simply dies on the table.

Anyone who is going under anesthesia is at risk for not coming back.

So, what are you going to tell the family, when someone asks you and you tell them what you said in this post, and the family tells you he/she died on the operating table and they ask you why you did not anoint?

Anesthesia is life threatening.
Obviously you too ignored what I wrote and decided to attack me personally instead.

Read what I wrote.

Here it is again
Surgery is not an illness.

As I said earlier, the Church does NOT anoint against surgery, and surgery is NOT a reason for the Sacrament of Anointing.

An illness or condition which is life-threatening is a reason for anointing.

Read what I wrote—which is obviously not what you did the first time.
 
apparently you are not aware of the fact that anesthesiologists have soe of the highest, if not the highest malpractice premiums. Why? Because they are taking the person down to near death, and sometimes, oh golly, the person simply dies on the table.

Anyone who is going under anesthesia is at risk for not coming back.

So, what are you going to tell the family, when someone asks you and you tell them what you said in this post, and the family tells you he/she died on the operating table and they ask you why you did not anoint?

Anesthesia is life threatening.
This position is certainly not incorrect – and it is classically held.

I have also experienced what you describe with patients who were under my pastoral care…not coming back from a procedure. They may have a reaction to the contrast agent, for example. The surgical procedure or other intervention put them into danger of death. That reality has to be acknowledged.

When I make my assessment, I look to other risk factors originating, for purposes of this discussion, with the surgical procedure itself and the presence of risk of adverse outcomes.

In other words, what you have stated needs to be stated even broader than anesthesia alone. Sometimes, the act of a surgical intervention initiates a fatal event that could not be foreseen or anticipated.

As I said in the lecture hall, the person cannot un-die so that you can prepare them for death; you have to make the sacramental provision for the person in your pastoral care when the person is in front of you to do so.
 
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In the example of the kidney donor: what exactly is the illness (infirmity, sickness, or whatever word might apply) that is cause for Anointing of the Sick?

It is after all, Anointing of the Sick (infirm)? or is it not?

Ultimately, we pray for God’s deliverance from the illness. So how are we praying for deliverance from an event which is being intentionally (as an act of mercy, surely) performed?

So, again: What is the infirmity that is cause for Anointing of the Infirm? in the kidney donor example.
There is no illness. That is precisely why I chose that example. In fact, the presence of an illness or medical condition can be a contraindication to the donor even donating the kidney.

I suggest, Father, you consult the Rite for what is sought post-surgery. The oration is clear…that the person is need of healing. A person who has undergone a medical procedure that has adverse physical and psychological impacts upon her body.
God of compassion,
our human weakness lays claim to your strength.
We pray that through the skills of surgeons and nurses
your healing gifts may be granted to N.
May your servant respond to your healing will
and be reunited with us at your altar of praise.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
 
I got anointing for the first time, earlier this year, for my dysautonomia (POTS) and classical ehlers danlos syndrome (EDS) - it definitely has helped me bear it.
Thank you for writing this…this is the other side that the pastoral care agent has to take into account when making the decision about the Sacrament of the Sick.

There is the objective reality of whatever is the situation that prompts the person to seek it in the midst of whatever is happening. Then, too, there is subjective effect that the recipient can benefit from by receiving this sacrament. That is not an inconsequentuial aspect of my total decision making process

It is not a rare occurrence that someone arrives in the Emergency Room/Trauma and Casualty Department and they are being assessed for myocardial infarction or pulmonary embolism. Some times the initial diagnosis is affirmed and some times it is not but, at the point at which the attending physician says “there is something wrong,” I look to anointing

The determination is made upon what the diagnostics are indicating, how the patient seems to my assessment – are they in evident physical pain/psychological distress – and what I assess would be the reaction of the person.

More concretely. Patient presents. Symptoms are present leading the attending physician to try to exclude a cardiac event. Initial EKG and blood work show anomalies. More diagnostics are being ordered when I arrive. If I have the sense that the anointing will have a positive effect, I will likely proceed without further ado

Pope Benedict made a statement years ago in association with the World Day of the Sick, which I often state verbatim when talking to patients about the Sacrament of the Sick. He said
In the Anointing of the Sick, the sacramental matter of the oil is offered to us, so to speak, as God’s medicine … which now assures us of his goodness, offering us strength and consolation, yet at the same time points beyond the moment of the illness towards the definitive healing, the resurrection
If the patient is one who demonstrates they are observant – speaking to me of Mass attendance, frequenting the sacraments, regular prayer, as they are prepared for the tests and procedures I know are ahead, I will ask if they would like God’s medicine…which can offer His strength and His consolation and His comfort and the assurance of His presence in a tangible and perceptible way as the doctors and nurses are about what can be done medically

That comfort is real. I have seen it too many times to quantify
 
cont’d

What happens if it is not a heart attack? It is “only” an irregularity in the heart beat or it was a transitory episode…she still experienced something which has begun to place her in a danger she did not have when her heart was working without any issue necessitating her coming to hospital.

Canon 1004 says
Can. 1004 §1. The anointing of the sick can be administered to a member of the faithful who, having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age.
As I always told my students in the lecture hall and in clinical practicum, the text says “in danger”…not “in danger of death”. Do not apply the latter when the text says the former.

Finally, if you cannot ascertain in the moment the gravity of the situation, you err on the side of providing the sacrament…even if it means you have either anointed someone who is not ill on the one hand or someone who is not even alive on the other hand
Can. 1005 This sacrament is to be administered in a case of doubt whether the sick person has attained the use of reason, is dangerously ill, or is dead.
Obviously, if the patient manifests any sign toward the – thankfully outdated and much less encountered today when compared with my years as a young priest – concept that this is a sacrament offered at the moment of approaching death, I won’t suggest the sacrament as readily in that circumstance as it will further add to the patient’s psychological trauma and likely induce even greater anxiety.

Ultimately, I ask if they will experience what the oration states:
Father in heaven,
through this holy anointing
grant N. comfort in his/her suffering.
When he/she is afraid, give him/her courage,
when afflicted, give him/her patience,
when dejected, afford him/her hope,
and when alone, assure him/her of the support of your holy people.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
 
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