May the perfectly healthy request the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?

[Seamus]

May someone that is about to undergo surgery for the purpose of making an altruistic kidney donation request that he receive the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick? Would it be at all improper for one to ask to receive this sacrament prior to having the surgery and, thus, whilst still healthy?

Any thoughts?

 

[G_S]

I understand that one can receive the sacrament prior to surgery. But, perhaps that is stated because the presumption is that a person must be ill if they are about to be operated on.

 

[asquared]

certainly if it is a surgery that carries a risk, it is actually better to ask the priest for this sacrament before you go to the hospital if you have advance notice.

 

[Ghosty]

Any surgery is a life-threatening procedure, so I don’t see any reason why you COULDN’T request it. Working in medicine, I’ve seen people die from the most basic and routine of operations. Any time you go under full anesthesia there is a small, small chance you won’t make it.

I’m not saying this to scare anyone out of doing something like a kidney donation, of course, simply to point out that it would seem to fall into the category of this Sacrament.

Peace and God bless!

 

[rwoehmke]

Anointing covers psychological or physical illness, impending risky surgery whether you healthy or not, as well as spiritual illness. It is good to have it done after a weekday Mass as one can receive the eucharist, be anointed, and some priests will even as the Mass attendees to join in the prayer. Being of advanced age is also a reason for asking for the sacrament.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Seamus:

May someone that is about to undergo surgery for the purpose of making an altruistic kidney donation request that he receive the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick? Would it be at all improper for one to ask to receive this sacrament prior to having the surgery and, thus, whilst still healthy?

Any thoughts?

In this case it is the risk of serious complications or death that justifies the request for the Sacrament. However since a person in good health can’t really be said to be unable to go to Confession. I would suggest that they go to Confession first and then receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the sick.

 

[Catholic2003]

Canon 1004 §1 The anointing of the sick can be administered to any member of the faithful who, having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger of death by reason of illness or old age.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Seamus - We anointed one of the sponsors in RCIA class a couple of years ago for precisely this reason. I didn’t hear anyone question it.

I do recall many [60+] years ago I was told in catechism class that one about to be executed could not be anointed because he was not ill. Not sure if that was the rule or the teacher’s opinion. However, I think the restrictions have been greatly eased and use of this sacrament is more strongly encouraged now.

Personally I would ask for it. As asquared noted ask the priest for it after mass some day or make an appointment. Don’t expect him to show up at the hospital at 5am on the morning of the surgery [Don’t laugh; people do expect that.] And as Brother Rich said, go to confession first.

 

[Catholic2003]

Joe Kelley:

However, I think the restrictions have been greatly eased and use of this sacrament is more strongly encouraged now.

Vatican II did indeed encourage the wider use of this sacrament:

Sacrosanctum Concilium 73. “Extreme unction,” which may also and more fittingly be called “anointing of the sick,” is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as any one of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived.

 

[thistle]

Canon 1004 §1 The anointing of the sick can be administered to any member of the faithful who, having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger of death by reason of illness or old age.

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

WHO RECEIVES AND WHO ADMINISTERS THIS SACRAMENT?

In case of grave illness . . .

CCC 1514 The Anointing of the Sick "is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived."130

CCC 1515 If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can in the case of another grave illness receive this sacrament again. If during the same illness the person’s condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated. **It is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to a serious operation. ** The same holds for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced.