Anointing of the sick for a non Catholic

[charmin62]

I had recently been very ill to the point of near death. On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being the worst, I was 1.5 . The doctors asked if I wanted to see a priest before surgery and I said yes. I’m not yet Catholic but have been following the faith for a while now. I was given the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. I am a Baptized Christian, but what I need to know is was it ok for me to ask for that? Am I also considered clean now so long as I have not committed any moral sins since then? I am very afraid of dying and going to hell.

 

[veritatisstella]

If you received a valid baptism, any of the other sacraments you receive will be valid. It is very good you asked for the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, and if you confessed and received absolution of your sins in the course of it, they have been forgiven and you are not required to confess them again.

 

[charmin62]

Thank you for your reply on this. I was not able to confess because I had been given medication to make me dopey, it was about ten minutes till surgery. All I remember was him anointing my forehead and palms with a canister of ointment and saying a prayer which contained: I’m not sure what this child’s sins are but, and then it was lights out from there. When I woke up six hrs later after the surgery, I felt at peace.

 

[veritatisstella]

The anointing of the sick can be given to people when they are unconscious and as far as I know there should have been a valid absolution in the course of the sacrament in your case since you were sorry for your sins. Regarding whether you need to confess anything it would be good to ask a priest, just to be sure. But be at peace, God has given you life for a reason and He loves you unconditionally.

 

[Mtatum1958]

I would say the answer is a solid maybe. It really depends on your disposition at the time, belief, and understanding of the Sacrament. You did nothing sinful.

i Would suggest talking with a priest. That would go a long way to allay your fears you expressed and answer any other questions.

 

[Vico]

…

ETWN, Colin B. Donovan, STL (Licentiate in Sacred Theology)

1. One who is not a baptized Catholic. Those who are not baptized may never receive. Baptized non-Catholics may not receive, unless the provisions of canon 844 and the norms of the local bishop and the bishops conference are met. For Orthodox Christians and other Churches with valid sacraments, canon 844, 3 provides that they:

• ask for it on their own
• be properly disposed.

For all other baptized Christians (Anglican, Lutheran and Protestant), canon 844, 4 states that the following conditions must be met:

• danger of death or other grave necessity
• inability to approach a minister of their own community
• ask for it on their own
• manifest Catholic faith in the sacraments
• be properly disposed

Proper disposition for anyone who is conscious includes the confession of all mortal sins since the last good confession, or since baptism, if the person had never made a confession.

https://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/anointing_of_the_sick.htm

 

[PaulfromIowa]

When you say “have been following the faith,” I assume that you mean planning conversion. Yes, it was certainly ok to ask for Anointing. If you have never had the Sacrament of Penance, you will make a first confession of sins since baptism. Ask your pastor.