Anointing of the Sick circumstances

[po18guy]

…however Anointing is NOT always a last rite. (Please read that sentence carefully).

Indeed! I would have/should have died in 2008, and each year since, if it were! It brings me to tears when I contemplate the healing graces, according with God’s will, that the Sacrament conveys. The tears simply flow at the reception of the Holy Eucharist while contemplating the crucifix.

At such times, it is absolutely sobering to recall our Lord’s words, “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

 

[FrDavid96]

@FrDavid96: I wonder what percentage of priests agree with you. There’s a lot of strange (and invalid) stuff going on out there in regard to this Sacrament.

Dan

I do think it’s a very small percentage, but a loud one.

It’s certainly true that we’ve had a difficult time with the revised usage of the Sacrament.

On the one hand, the idea of “only for the dying” just won’t go away—mostly among the laity.

On the other hand, there are certainly many priests out there who do abuse the administration of the Sacrament. I know of quite a few (but still, small by percentage of priests) who will anoint quite literally anyone at any time for any reason.

A few parishes back, I had a genuine spiritual problem in my parish. The previous pastor was one who anointed anyone and who made a big deal of it. He had a so-called “Healing Mass” (a term prohibited by the Church) at which he anointed anyone and everyone who showed up, even non-Catholics, and did it every week of the year.

It took me years of correction to try to at least steer things in the right direction. People were angry because I stopped their “weekly anointing.” When I asked “are you sick?” I would get a “no, but that has nothing to do with it, I want the weekly anointing.” I would also get the quite often request for the most minor illness or injury. And I do mean minor. One person wanted to be anointed for a bee-sting. I asked “are you allergic?” Answer “no.” Another wanted anointing on the hands for arthritis. Some would actually ask for it for no reason other than “I haven’t been anointed in a while.”

So, yes, there is a lot of abuse out there.

 

[FrDavid96]

My understanding is that the ‘extreme’ in Extreme Unction doesn’t mean extreme as we think in modern English. It means the last or final. That might still sound like it means something just before death, but it means the last, or final, after the other anointings of Baptism and Confirmation.

Not quite. The word “extreme” (Latin in extremis) really does mean “at the end of life” and not just a matter of sequence.

What people miss is that while the Anointing is sometimes in extremis, it does not have to be that way.

This is like using the term “Viaticum” meaning Communion for the dying (food for the journey).

We still have Viaticum, just as we still have Extreme Unction.

A person who is not dying can still receive Communion, but we don’t call that Viaticum unless death is expected. Likewise, a person who is not necessarily dying (but still seriously ill) can still receive Unction, but we don’t call it Extreme Unction unless the person is dying.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Yes it is appropriate! I have even received it when admitted to the hospital psychiatrically

and obviously I was at “NO RISK” of death.

Having taught liturgy and sacrament for years…and having studied to become a psychologist before I was ordained to the priesthood, eons ago, my great expectation for the Sacrament of the Sick in the 21st century is precisely in its expanded employment in the area of issues related to mental health. Fortunately, those advocating for this are well placed.

 

[TheHolyTrinity]

@FrDavid96, could you please explain how the Church defines the words ‘serious illness’. ?

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?

Anointing of the Sick circumstances Liturgy and Sacraments

@ajcstr My illness started a late last year, I was recently diagnosed with autonomic dysfunction otherwise known as Dysautonomia, along an immunological disorder. Although it affects my daily life, unbeknown to many I still push though. One day at a time.

Earlier this year I had been in and out of hospital for cardiac issues. Not long after being discharge I was at Mass and after Communion I got the strong desire to ask the Priest for the Anointing of the Sick. In reflection of that t…

It is sad to hear that you had trials and tribulations and frustrations with a previous parish…

 

[Arkansan]

Canon 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 not that complicated.

 

[TheHolyTrinity]

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 not that complicated.

Are you replying to my question?

 

[Arkansan]

Yes

(16 characters)

 

[TheHolyTrinity]

Yes

(16 characters)

Your responses to me have be harsh and unsympathetic, I will await for FrDavid96 response thank you

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Surgery itself can certainly justify anointing,

Surgery itself indeed can justify recourse to the Sacrament of the Sick. Among the best instances to evidence this is, for example, a patient donating a kidney or again a patient undergoing a reconstructive surgery in the absence of either disease or trauma. In such case, the sacrament is appropriately administered.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Indeed! I would have/should have died in 2008, and each year since, if it were! It brings me to tears when I contemplate the healing graces, according with God’s will, that the Sacrament conveys. The tears simply flow at the reception of the Holy Eucharist while contemplating the crucifix.

At such times, it is absolutely sobering to recall our Lord’s words, “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

Of all my experiences in my decades of priesthood, the ones involving health care, and most especially end of life, have been the most profound and awe-inspiring, especially in direct patient care. I would have been glad for it to have been my full time occupation for a much broader swath of my life…but of course I gave that prerogative up many many many years ago.

Our attitude and our pastoral praxis today are far different from when I was young regarding this sacrament – and I thank God for the changes every day.

 

[Arkansan]

It’s a strange attitude which holds that pretending to administer a sacrament is “merciful” or “pastoral”.

Fortunately, the “it’s all about feeeeeeeeeeeeeeelings” mentality seems to be less prevalent among younger clergy, who are overall much more orthodox and concerned with what the Church actually teaches.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

My fear is that I would get different responses from different priests

That would, frankly, be most unfortunate.

Sadly, it can happen in which a priest is not being as pastoral as he could be – and should be. In such a case, this is a matter that should be made known to the diocese so that corrective action concerning a priest can be taken. I have had occasion to take such corrective action personally and even to refer the matter the Vicar General or the Bishop, so that they could make quite clear to the invariably young priest the error of his ways – and make clear the consequences which would be visited upon him.

 

[1ke]

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

My pastor who anointed me prior to my three surgeries sees it differently.

My comment was based on my own experience and counsel from my priest.

 

[Arkansan]

The Catechism, The Code of Canon Law, and all of the instructions for Anointing of the Sick put out by the Holy See are perfectly clear that only danger of death on account of illness or old age makes the Sacrament possible.

 

[acanonlawyer]

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

 

[FrDavid96]

Surgery itself indeed can justify recourse to the Sacrament of the Sick. Among the best instances to evidence this is, for example, a patient donating a kidney or again a patient undergoing a reconstructive surgery in the absence of either disease or trauma. In such case, the sacrament is appropriately administered.

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.

I see the need for anointing the recipient–that’s self-evident.

Readers: THIS IS WHAT WE CALL DIALOGUE. It is discussion. It is near impossible to convey TONE and emotion in these posts. I want people to understand that priests can actually ask each other questions about their positions without arguing with each other.

Yes, we can discuss things and share our viewpoints without pulling each others’ beards!

 

[Arkansan]

Yes, we can discuss things and share our viewpoints without pulling each others’ beards!

But the beard-pulling makes it more entertaining!

Seriously though, you’re a better man than I in this regard.

 

[FrDavid96]

@FrDavid96, could you please explain how the Church defines the words ‘serious illness’. ?

I wish I could.

Seriously. I really do with I could. It is easier to define what it is not, than to define what it is.

When Bl. Paul VI promulgated the new rite of Anointing he used a phrase in Latin which does not translate clearly into English. The best translators in the world (literally the best available) were unable to compose a simple and direct translation into English.

While there is no one single sentence that can answer your question, instead here are some thoughts:

1. We know that “by the time a person begins to be in danger of death, the time for Anointing has already arrived” (from memory). So that means do not wait for danger of death.
2. We know that the Anointing is for serious ailments. That means is it not for minor ailments or injuries. It’s not a Sacrament to be used like some kind of first aid kit.
3. We know that the priest must discern if a person is truly eligible. That’s important. If it were intended for minor injuries or ailments (the extreme example of the bee-sting) there would be no need for such discernment. The Rite itself instructs the priest to consult medical doctors if in-doubt. This responsibility to discern tells us clearly that it is not intended for minor illnesses. It is most certainly not-intended for anyone who happens to be attending a certain Mass.
4. Four decades of English translation (again, note #1) has more or less settled on using the phrase “seriously ill” That must mean something. We cannot dismiss that word “seriously.”
5. We must remember that each person’s condition is unique. A healthy teenager might easily recover from something like a broken bone, while the same injury might be ultimately fatal for a 95 year old. A bee-sting is a few hours discomfort for most people, but for the severely allergic, it could be fatal. Likewise, a 25 year old might have a worse heart condition compared to a 70 year old. That’s a long way of saying that it’s impossible to compose some sort of list of infirmities which would or would-not call for the Anointing.

 

[FrDavid96]

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.
2. We know that the Anointing can be repeated. Contrary to some schools of thought in the medieval era, it is not a once-per-life Sacrament. It can be repeated if the illness gets worse. It can be repeated if the illness does not heal after some time. Questions of how often? or how much time? are unknown. There is no thing like a “lifetime cap” (such as no more than 12 or the Orthodox practice of no more than 3 marriages).

In summary, I’m sorry I can’t give you a simple and direct and brief answer to your question. No such thing exists.

I also want to say that I don’t mean my post here to be exhaustive. By all means, there’s a lot I’ve left out. So please (knowing what happens on CAF) I don’t want people to come back and say “how dare you not say such-and-such!”

I have already gone over the character limit for posts, so I’ve had to split this.
Again: no comments accusing me of omitting something. If anyone thinks I have, then say something, but please be polite rather than confrontational. Thanks.