Seriously ill or in danger of death from the illness or treatment. Infirm or aged also, I personally don’t think infertility qualifies. It says that a pastor should seek the advice of qualified medical personel to determine seriousness.
As a Recovered Alcoholic, I have twice received the Annointing of the Sick. The Church accepts that alcoholism is a chronic disease, not a moral failing or sin. That we are not bad people trying to become good, but sick people trying to become well.
In my home parish they offer the anointing of the sick every Saturday morning. What bothers me is that the same people get up every week. Some have been doing so for years. Of course there are some new ones too. The priest says if you are seriously ill or facing major surgery. I kind of think this is an abuse of the sacrament to receive it every week for years since it is a sacrament for the seriously ill and should only be received again if the illness takes a turn for the worse (I don’t have the exact wording from the general instruction).
The priest was right, it’s the ‘Sacrament of the Sick’ and it should be administered while you still can participate in it. They usually won’t deny it to anyone, but the ritual book still says that it should be during ‘serious’ illness.
The normal and proper order of the Sacraments would be Sacramental Confession (for someone who is aware of Mortal Sin), Anointing of the Sick, and then Holy Communion.
Yes, that was the way it was in my case. Both times I was on retreat, went to confession, then had the annointing, then had the mass. The Retreat Masters were very clear and understanding about all this. And I do believe (even if I cannot prove it) that it is another small help in staying sober.
Well, she, the lay chaplain (I know you can’t use the term chaplain but that is what the hospital calls them), said the priest chaplain regularly anoints people without hearing their confession and then gives them communion. Thanks for the information. I did think that what he was doing didn’t sound kosher.
:crying: And to think there are those who don’t believe in miracles. Gotta wipe the tears off…:clapping:I was losing a lot of weight, and couldn’t figure out why. Tests were being run. I went to be anointed before some tests, and it was discovered that I was suffering from Chronic Renal Failure and associated ailments due to diabetes. The weird thing is that my blood sugar levels were going so low, I had to cut down, and eventuallly cut out most of my diabetes meds to keep from going hypoglycemic. (All I take now for it is Avandia).
A big part of medicine is dignosis. Could this initial anointing help uncover the problem? I believe so.
And when Stage IV was confirmed (meaning dialysis is just around the corner), I asked for anointing again. I was anointed at the Divine Liturgy, and beforehand, the Priest urged the congregation, “Let’s shake the Throne with prayers for our brother.”
Just before I had to go to surgery to put the fistula in my arm to allow a port for dialysis, I was nointed again.
Latest report–my kidney function has improved from 19% (just before Stage V and dialysis being necessary) to 40%. My nephrologist was pleasantly surprised. He hasn’t seen that much improvement before.
I personally believe that God is in the process of doing a miracle. Of course, He has all eternity to work on me!
I’m facing cataract surgery in a few weeks. You’d better believe I’m getting anointed before hand.
Well…one never knows if another has a chronic illness and is able to hide it well…but I know what you mean about abuse of the sacrament. (*PET PEEVE ALERT) We have some folks on our prayer list that have been on there for years…a couple who have even left the parish. The problem is that they take up space on the prayer list published in the bulletin, and let’s face it, we could legitimately put every member of the parish on that list and pray for something for each one, but it’s meant for current illnesses and “new” prayer issues.
At Masses in the Basilica at Knock anointing of the sick is done. It is announced that people should remember it is a sacrament and that they should receive no more than once a month. I do not believe they would turn someone away if they noticed someone ignoring this ‘rule’.
I agree. I only say that many times pastors forget to remind people to receive the Sacrament of Confession just prior to receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
He does not have to hear their confession but should offer to. If they are in a State of Sanctifying Grace, with no known mortal sins, there is no need to. However the Sacrament of Reconciliation can also be received without confessing mortal sin also.
But can they then receive communion? My friend said that in talking to some of the patients they say they have not been to mass in years but the priest anointed them and gave them communion without confession. Once she was in the room when the priest did this. This priest also anointed a Jewish man. Maybe he doesn’t ask the religion of the person, just anoints everyone. It is a Catholic hospital so maybe he thinks only Catholics go there. He is not from this country.
I have no idea the circumstances in these specific cases. I do know that it has been states in many articles that the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is or can be one of the most abused. A person who has not been to Mass “in years” intentionally and had the ability to go to Mass, a Mortal sin?. I would believe would need to Confess that in Reconciliation BEFORE receiving any other Sacraments.
Anyone suffering from a sickness can request the Sacrament of Anointing. The circumstances you listed above fall under the appropriateness of receiving the sacrament. It used to be called Extreme Unction and was given on one’s deathbed. It still can be used in this way, but the understanding is deeper now to include sickness in spirit, mind and body.
I was initially hesitant when I approached my PV about annointing me last Tuesday. As I indicated in my initial post, I suffer from migraines and this bout has been the most severe of the lot (including tingling in my fingers). He was very supportive and annointed me right away.