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KendraDZ1902
Guest
What is it? How is it different from any other Mass?
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Vico
Guest
There is a Mass for the Sick in the Roman Missal. Otherwise a healing service may be held after Mass. In the Mass for the Sick, there is a Liturgy of Anointing inserted before the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
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TimothyH
Guest
The sacrament of anointing of the sick is offered as part of a healing Mass.
The parish here near the hospital does it every Wednesday at the noon Mass. My parish does one quarterly in the evening followed by a Novena to St. Jude with veneration of the relic and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
-Tim-
The parish here near the hospital does it every Wednesday at the noon Mass. My parish does one quarterly in the evening followed by a Novena to St. Jude with veneration of the relic and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
-Tim-
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KendraDZ1902
Guest
Ok, so Healing Mass is just another phrase for it? How sick does one have to be? Do I need to be on my deathbed or close to it? I don’t look sick, but I have a couple mental health issues and I am trying everything I can to become more mental stable.
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TimothyH
Guest
Take all the advice given here, consider it, and then ask the priest. When it comes down to it, do what the priest advises.
In general, it is not just for physical sickness but for mental sickness as well. But ask the priest. Do what he says.
-Tim-
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KendraDZ1902
Guest
Ok, thanks a bunch!
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ccmcmg
Guest
Exactly what Tim said.
The Healing Mass I attend locally is once a month. It has a ‘charismatic’ feel. It is held in a room separate from the main church (for what reason I do not know; it could be financial/heating/cooling related). The one I attend does seem to have a different flavor than the regular weekday or weekend OF or EF Masses I’ve attended. I’m one that tends to follow the rules as set out to a T. However, some of these ‘rules’ may not be as set in stone as I thought. I wouldn’t call any of it liturgical abuse, but it was different…it at times reminded me of the Youth Masses of my teens; that isn’t a bad thing, just different.
The actual Sacrament of Healing/Anointing of the Sick is during the Mass. The one I attend does have people who ‘pray in tongues’, which can be a bit startling if you don’t expect it. (It was the first time, for me.) The singing was also different than the usual parish Masses.
The Healing Mass is supported by our diocese, as well as the next diocese near us.
Healings have occurred at these Masses, but it’s not a given; it’s a Gift that we can’t expect. Both physical and mental illnesses are eligible for healing. You do not have to be on the verge of death, hospitalization or surgery to receive the Sacrament. It is separate from the Last Rites (however, the Sacrament is *part *of the Last Rites).
I’ve visited with my priest about this, and can only share with you what he’s told me. I did receive the Sacrament, it is a valid part of the Church. My own parish has ‘healing masses’ on specific Saturdays of the month. It is not a Charismatic Mass though. I would say not all healing Masses are Charismatic, but be aware that some are.
God bless you,
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Vico
Guest
Serious mental illness can qualify.
“Some types of mental sickness are now classified as serious. Those who are judged to have a serious mental illness and who would be strengthened by the sacrament may be anointed. The anointing may be repeated in accordance with the conditions for other kinds of severe illness.”
ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur334.htm
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TimothyH
Guest
This is not my experience at any healing Mass. There has been no charismatic feel and no praying in tongues. The healing Masses I have experienced are as Vico described - a standard Mass with the Liturgy of Anointing inserted before the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
I have heard the priest use some of the less common Eucharistic prayers at the Healing Mass and remember specifically Eucharistic Prayers for Various Needs IV: Jesus, the compassion of God being used prior to Advent 2011.
You sent Jesus Christ your Son among us as redeemer and Lord. He was moved with compassion for the poor and the powerless, for the sick and the sinner; he made himself neighbor to the oppressed. By his words and actions he proclaimed to the world that you care for us as a father cares for his children.
I don’t think this Eucharistic prayer is used any longer. I think I also remember a “Mass of Creation” or something similar being used.
But I have not experienced any charismatic feel. I altar serve at these Masses and after the Liturgy of the Word and the homily, the priest(s) go forward to the foot of the sanctuary and I bring them little custard bowls of the oil on a small tray. They anoint anyone who comes forward and they put the bowls back on the tray. I also have cotton balls for them to wipe their hands. When they are done I put it all back on the creedence table and we launch right into the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
From the USCCB website at usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments/anointing-of-the-sick/.
The priest lays his hands on the head of the sick person. He then proceeds to anoint, with the blessed Oil of the Sick, the forehead and hands of the sick person (in the Roman Rite). He accompanies these acts with the words, “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up” (CCC, no. 1513).
The sacrament will provide forgiveness of sin, will give strength to bear with the illness and God will heal you physically if it is required for your salvation. There was a guy on these forums who was healed physically of lymphoma. He said it was very humbling because he knew that he was not ready for Heaven and that God was giving him a second chance to live right and be saved.
-Tim-
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ccmcmg
Guest
I understand, but at some healing Masses, there is that experience. I’m only offering my own experience; of course, I can’t expound on anyone else’s experiences but my own. I didn’t say that all healing Masses were like this.
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Filii_Dei
Guest
In the words of a local charismatic priest, all Masses are healing. There is no greater medicine for our body and soul than the Body and Blood of Christ. 
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