Extreme Unction/Sacrament of the Sick

[jbuck919]

EDIT
Is anybody else upset about the changes to what used to be called the Last Sacrament? I am familiar with the older ritual with its multiple annointings, and it is one of the most beautiful rituals of the church (especially in Latin). It has been radically changed, by papal fiat, to just one annointing with a different and far less moving formula.

I suppose that when it comes my time, if I am lucky enough to receive last rites in a conscious state at all, I will be beyond caring about aesthetic niceties, And yes, I am aware that this sacrament is now administered to anyone who has a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, not just the about-to-die. But I see a degredation of ritual here that is even beyond that of the change in the Mass. Does anybody else feel a similar way?

I apologize if this has been addressed before. There does not appear to be a search feature here, or I would have looked for a previous thread on what appears to be a likely topic.

 

[LeahInancsi]

I’m a little behind and relatively new to Catholicism. Could you elaborate further.

In RCIA, I was told that Anointing of the Sick (formerly Last Rites) can be given to people when they are also ill, as opposed to dying. Also, if you are conscious and dying, you must give an oral confession and be absolved. If you are unconscious, you will be absolved without a confession.

Am I right? What am I missing?

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

I like the “new” (been in existence in its present state since the 1960s). In the so-called good old days, nobody called Father until Death was at the door. If Father showed up, you had a good idea you were a goner. I’d rather ask for the sacrament up-front, than take my chances of waiting until I might be on the verge of death.

When you say there are no “multiple” annointings, do you mean you can’t receive the sacrament again again? Because you can. Or do you mean the annointing of different body parts, such as the hands, which does still happen? Or are you looking for the whole deal, feet and anyhting else that might be an extremity of the body?

http://www.catholic.com/library/Anointing_of_the_Sick.asp
usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt2art5.htm
ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/P6ANOIN.HTM
This is from http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0196.asp

Anointing in a Home or Hospital

**1. **Therite begins with the Sign of the Cross with blessed water which reminds us of our baptismal promise to die with Christ so that we might rise to new life with him.

**2. **The readings from Scripture are adapted to the condition of the sick person. The priest prays and assures the sick person of the prayers of the parish and invites the sick person to pray for the needs of his or her fellow parishioners.

**3. **The priest imposes hands on the head of the one to be anointed, prays over the oil and anoints the forehead and hands of the sick person.

**4. **The priest prays for the sick person and invites all present to pray The Lord’s Prayer.

**5. **Holy Communion may be received at this time.

**6. **The priest then blesses the sick person and all present.

It doesn’t mention that if the sick person wishes to go to confession, there is still the opportunity- but there is.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

jbuck919:

EDIT
Is anybody else upset about the changes to what used to be called the Last Sacrament? I am familiar with the older ritual with its multiple annointings, and it is one of the most beautiful rituals of the church (especially in Latin). It has been radically changed, by papal fiat, to just one annointing with a different and far less moving formula.

I suppose that when it comes my time, if I am lucky enough to receive last rites in a conscious state at all, I will be beyond caring about aesthetic niceties, And yes, I am aware that this sacrament is now administered to anyone who has a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, not just the about-to-die. But I see a degredation of ritual here that is even beyond that of the change in the Mass. Does anybody else feel a similar way?

I apologize if this has been addressed before. There does not appear to be a search feature here, or I would have looked for a previous thread on what appears to be a likely topic.

As usual there are several rites that can be used to celebrate the Sacrament. The shorter version is not required to be used.

 

[chicago]

Well, there is a more extended ritual in prayers for the dying, including the offering of the Apostolic Blessing carrying with it a plenary indulgence. I think that it can be quite meaningful and moving, even if it is perhaps not quite as extended and full as a previous rite.

 

[JimG]

As indicated in post #3, the revised rite of anointing, can still be rather elaborate, depending on the amount of time you have. If you are truly at death’s door, you would want to forgo the longer versions and get straight to the words and actions which comprise the essentials of the sacrament.

 

[jbuck919]

LeahInancsi:

I’m a little behind and relatively new to Catholicism. Could you elaborate further.

In RCIA, I was told that Anointing of the Sick (formerly Last Rites) can be given to people when they are also ill, as opposed to dying. Also, if you are conscious and dying, you must give an oral confession and be absolved. If you are unconscious, you will be absolved without a confession.

Am I right? What am I missing?

Among other thing, in the old rite, there were multiple annointings with the following beautiful text spoken by the pries (this one happens to be the annointng of the hands)t:

Per istam sanctam unctionem, et suam piisimam misericordiam, indulgeat tibi Dominus quidquid per tactum deliquisti.

(Through this holy annointing and his most blessed mercy, may the Lord forgive you whatever offenses you have committed by the sense of touch.)

It is repeated for sight, hearing, and several other things. It loses
a great deal in the translation (trust me, it is extremely beautiful, almost poetic in the Latin).

There is actually an apostolic constitution mandating a single annointing wth a (I can only call it) degenerate formula. I’ll find it after I wake up in the morning, for I am very tired now. I am surprised I have not heard from anyone who knows exactly whtat I mean.