Anointing of the Sick & temporal penalties

[constantconvert]

According to this thread, anointing of the sick removes the temporal “effects” of sin. A couple of questions about this.

First, is there difference between temporal punishment and temporal effects? Are these terms used interchangeably?

Second, I can’t find anything in the CCC that says that this sacrament removes temporal punishment, though I trust Fr. Serpa implicitly!

Third, does this mean what I think it means? Namely, since temporal punishment for sins is what we receive on earth or in Purgatory, then I could go to my parish for the monthly anointing of the sick (our priest says it’s open to anyone, you don’t have to be physically ill) and have all my temporal punishment that I would otherwise suffer in purgatory removed completely every month?!?! This just sounds way to good to be true.

 

[Trishie]

papalencyclicals.net/Paul06/p6anoin.htm

The SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK, APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION
Issued by His Holiness Pope Paul VI on November 30, 1972

Excerpt:

"After the Council of Florence had described the essential elements of the Anointing of the Sick,[6] the Council of Trent declared its divine institution and explained what is given in the Epistle of Saint James concerning the Sacred Anointing, especially with regard to the reality and effects of the sacrament: “This reality is in fact the grace of the Holy Spirit, whose anointing takes away sins, if any still remain to be taken away, and the remnants of sin; it also relieves and strengthens the soul of the sick person, arousing in him a great confidence in the divine mercy, whereby being thus sustained he more easily bears the trials and labors of his sickness, more easily resists the temptations of the devil ‘lying in wait’ (Gen. 3:15), and sometimes regains bodily health, if this is expedient for the health of the soul.”[7] The same Council also declared that in these words of the Apostle it is stated with sufficient clarity that “this anointing is to be administered to the sick, especially those who are in such a condition as to appear to have reached the end of their life, whence it is also called the sacrament of the dying.”[8] Finally, it declared that the priest is the proper minister of the sacrament.[9] "

 

[constantconvert]

“This reality is in fact the grace of the Holy Spirit, whose anointing takes away sins, if any still remain to be taken away, and the remnants of sin; it also relieves and strengthens the soul of the sick person, arousing in him a great confidence in the divine mercy, whereby being thus sustained he more easily bears the trials and labors of his sickness, more easily resists the temptations of the devil ‘lying in wait’ (Gen. 3:15), and sometimes regains bodily health, if this is expedient for the health of the soul.”[7]

So are remnants temporal punishments of Purgatory?

 

[TheDoctor]

I think Fr. Serpa is combining two things which may be confusing. The Sacrament of Annonting of the Sick includes confession which forgives mortal sin but does not remove the temperal punishments due to those sins. There is however the Apostolic Pardon, which is given to those in danger of death as part of the “last rites” which does:
The Apostolic Pardon (or blessing) is an indulgence given in situations of danger of death, usually after the absolution of the sacrament of penance. The focus is on the remission of temporal punishment due to sin. The words of the prayer explain the meaning of the act: “Through the holy mysteries of our redemption may almighty God release you from all punishments in this life and in the life to come. May he open to you the gates of paradise and welcome you to everlasting joy.” Or “By the authority which the Apostolic See has given me, I grant you a full pardon and the remission of all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

The Handbook of Indulgences #28 states: "Priests who minister the sacraments to the Christian faithful who are in a life-and-death situation should not neglect to impart to them the apostolic blessing, with its attached indulgence. But if a priest cannot be present, holy mother Church lovingly grants such persons who are rightly disposed a plenary indulgence to be obtained in articulo mortis, at the approach of death, provided they regularly prayed in some way during their lifetime. The use of a crucifix or a cross is recommended in obtaining this plenary indulgence. In such a situation the three usual conditions required in order to gain a plenary indulgence are substituted for by the condition ‘provided they regularly prayed in some way.’
ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage.asp?number=520698&Pg=&Pgnu=&recnu

 

[YoungTradCath]

So are remnants temporal punishments of Purgatory?

Temporal punishment is punishment a person endures in purgatory for only a “time.” I put that in parentheses because there is no real time in purgatory.

Spiritual punishment is punishment a person endures in hell “forever” (if that is where you end up).

Temporal punishment is forgiven through indulgences and the Apostolic Pardon, which in itself is really just an indulgence without having to do anything to get it.

Spiritual punishment is forgiven principally through confession and then also through perfect contrition.

 

[constantconvert]

I think Fr. Serpa is combining two things which may be confusing. The Sacrament of Annonting of the Sick includes confession which forgives mortal sin but does not remove the temperal punishments due to those sins. There is however the Apostolic Pardon, which is given to those in danger of death as part of the “last rites” which does

Thank you, that’s helpful.

But if a priest cannot be present, holy mother Church lovingly grants such persons who are rightly disposed a plenary indulgence to be obtained in articulo mortis, at the approach of death, provided they regularly prayed in some way during their lifetime. The use of a crucifix or a cross is recommended in obtaining this plenary indulgence. In such a situation the three usual conditions required in order to gain a plenary indulgence are substituted for by the condition 'provided they regularly prayed in some way.'

That’s nice to hear. I’m sure I’d never get a plenary indulgence under the 3 usual conditions. *No *attachment to my sin? Not in this lifetime. :nope: :bighanky:

 

[constantconvert]

Temporal punishment is forgiven through indulgences and the Apostolic Pardon, which in itself is really just an indulgence without having to do anything to get it.

Is Apostolic Pardon normally given as a part of Last Rites? So if I get last rites right before I die, I might be able to bypass Purgatory?

I mean, I guess there’s nothing *so *horrible about going to Purgatory. I’m going to be in Heaven forever, so what’s a stint in Purgatory as compared to that? Still like to bypass it if I can.

 

[tradcathusa]

The apostolic pardon is in the traditional Roman Ritual (1962) and is always given by traditional priests like FSSP, SSPX etc. I don’t know if it is done in the novus ordo.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Is Apostolic Pardon normally given as a part of Last Rites? So if I get last rites right before I die, I might be able to bypass Purgatory?

I mean, I guess there’s nothing *so *horrible about going to Purgatory. I’m going to be in Heaven forever, so what’s a stint in Purgatory as compared to that? Still like to bypass it if I can.

Yes, it is.