Question regarding Anointing of the Sick

[FrDavid96]

I understand that you are saying that pre-Vatican II translations said ‘unction’ and post-Vatican II translations say ‘anointing’. What difference are you saying this means? The dictionary says unction means to anoint with oil or the oil used for that purpose.

I will not discuss the point about anointing and viaticum further: you will probably have studied sacramental theology, received training in this area, and have pastoral experience. I am at a disadvantage as I can only cite what I’ve read. As I read it in the liturgical book, and it makes this point on more than one occasion, is that viaticum is seen as more important as the final sacrament than anointing. What I believe it is doing is emphasising the point that anointing shouldn’t be held off until the moment of death is near. That’s why I raised it in a previous post to show that anointing is no longer seen as something that isn’t given until the person is near death. I understand that there may in practice be situations where anointing can be given but not viaticum: the person is unable to swallow, they’re unconscious, they must just have died but this isn’t certain.

Matthew,

Sorry. I wasn’t clear. I don’t mean that there’s a difference between pre- and post- Vatican II translations. What I mean is that post-VII translations imply that there’s a significant difference between what was before the council and what was after the council, so much so that the “2 sacraments” should be called by 2 entirely different names. In other words, they want to say that we don’t have a continuity, but a break so significant that we (almost) have 2 different sacraments, one post, one pre. To be more direct, they want us to think that the sacrament of unction was eliminated by Vatican II and an entirely new sacrament Anointing, was created to replace it.

As far as Viaticum and Anointing go, perhaps we should start over here (it might look to others like we’re arguing, which we aren’t–those who aren’t familiar with the 2 of us might see it that way). The ideal situation is that a dying person should receive all of the Last Rites of the Church–that means Confession, Anointing, Eucharist (as Viaticum) and the Apostolic Pardon. I think we need to keep that in mind, the best possible situation is all 4 of the rites. The reason why you’re seeing a “preference” for Viaticum over Anointing is that all the Graces we receive in Anointing can be received in Communion, but not all of those from Communion are received at Anointing (eg, we don’t receive the Body of Christ). That’s why the Church says if time is absolutely critical, do Communion first then do Anointing. The only difference I’m trying to articulate is the the Church doesn’t say to “prefer” Communion over Anointing, the Church still says “do both”, but do them in a different order, just in case the person does indeed die (the soul leaves the body) before the priest has the chance to anoint. In other words, I’m trying to say that it isn’t a question of “which one?” but a question of “in what order?” It’s like I said earlier, a priest should never actively choose not-to-do Anointing, so long as it’s possible.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

Matthew,

Sorry. I wasn’t clear. I don’t mean that there’s a difference between pre- and post- Vatican II translations. What I mean is that post-VII translations imply that there’s a significant difference between what was before the council and what was after the council, so much so that the “2 sacraments” should be called by 2 entirely different names. In other words, they want to say that we don’t have a continuity, but a break so significant that we (almost) have 2 different sacraments, one post, one pre. To be more direct, they want us to think that the sacrament of unction was eliminated by Vatican II and an entirely new sacrament Anointing, was created to replace it.

As far as Viaticum and Anointing go, perhaps we should start over here (it might look to others like we’re arguing, which we aren’t–those who aren’t familiar with the 2 of us might see it that way). The ideal situation is that a dying person should receive all of the Last Rites of the Church–that means Confession, Anointing, Eucharist (as Viaticum) and the Apostolic Pardon. I think we need to keep that in mind, the best possible situation is all 4 of the rites. The reason why you’re seeing a “preference” for Viaticum over Anointing is that all the Graces we receive in Anointing can be received in Communion, but not all of those from Communion are received at Anointing (eg, we don’t receive the Body of Christ). That’s why the Church says if time is absolutely critical, do Communion first then do Anointing. The only difference I’m trying to articulate is the the Church doesn’t say to “prefer” Communion over Anointing, the Church still says “do both”, but do them in a different order, just in case the person does indeed die (the soul leaves the body) before the priest has the chance to anoint. In other words, I’m trying to say that it isn’t a question of “which one?” but a question of “in what order?” It’s like I said earlier, a priest should never actively choose not-to-do Anointing, so long as it’s possible.

I understand what you are saying, now. My thought processes weren’t even going down that route – leading people to think there were two different sacraments.

Regarding the other matter, I’m glad you mentioned the Apostolic Pardon. I’d forgotten that part. I suppose I have been putting my own interpretation on the liturgical rites because of my perspective. I accept that anointing isn’t to be held off until the person is very close to death. I suppose I’ve been assuming the introductions and rubrics in the rite have been written to emphasise this point others. I didn’t really ever want to infer the Church had a preference; it almost seems like I was reducing anointing or viaticum to which wine shall we have red or white. Of course, the Church’s preference is that we receive them all: Anointing, Eucharist and Reconciliation (not necessarily in that order). I also gather from the liturgical texts that they shouldn’t necessarily all be squeezed into a few moments before the person dies but that they should be given, if possible, on separate occasions over a period of time.

(To others: to confirm what FrDavid96 said we don’t argue.)

 

[fgj]

If a Priest performs this sacrament to someone who has not yet confessed and did not confess with the priest before the anointing is it considered valid or does this person still has to go to confession.The priest that did the anointing said that all of her sins are forgiven after the anointing of the sick even if you did not confess.Now am a little confused because I thought you could not receive this sacrament if in a state of mortal sin.Can someone help me answer this question.Thanks

 

[ConstantineTG]

No, you do not need to confess before receiving this Sacrament. If one is unable to confess (ie. in a coma) then the Anointing will also take care of that person’s mortal sins.

 

[zab]

(To others: to confirm what FrDavid96 said we don’t argue.)

Any more than the rest of us, right

 

[achmafooma]

My wife received an anointing before going in for surgery (she came out just fine ), and our Priest asked her if she needed a Confession beforehand. She didn’t, but I got the distinct impression that if she did he would have had her do it right then before the anointing.

I admittedly haven’t researched this (and I’m still a relatively new Catholic, so I’m picking this up as I go), but my impression is that if possible (and if needed) one should go to Confession before an Anointing…but if they are unable to do so due to coma or some other impediment, then the anointing serves as a forgiveness of that person’s sins.

Definitely open to correction if I’m wrong though!

 

[Like]

before surgery of a serious nature, especially if you are elderly?
And if you did but the priest never came, would you have been considered to have received the rites in the eyes of the Church?

 

[TheDoctor]

Yes. However Anointing of the Sick does not have to be just for major surgery. As the Catechism says:

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.”[129]

It is also being discussed here: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=525300

 

[Like]

Thanks! How about my 2nd. question?

 

[SMHW]

before surgery of a serious nature, especially if you are elderly?
And if you did but the priest never came, would you have been considered to have received the rites in the eyes of the Church?

It can be appropriate to ask for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick but I don’t think it’s appropriate to ask for the Last Rites unless death is truly considered imminent. The Anointing and Reconciliation can be administered multiple times but the Last Rites are intended to be just that: last. (Obviously if a person survives it won’t be held against him.)

A person either receives the Last Rites or he doesn’t. But if someone wished to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation but a priest did not come then we have to trust that the person’s contrition for his sins would suffice.

 

[Like]

It can be appropriate to ask for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick but I don’t think it’s appropriate to ask for the Last Rites unless death is truly considered imminent. The Anointing and Reconciliation can be administered multiple times but the Last Rites are intended to be just that: last. (Obviously if a person survives it won’t be held against him.)

A person either receives the Last Rites or he doesn’t. But if someone wished to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation but a priest did not come then we have to trust that the person’s contrition for his sins would suffice.

Sorry, I should have read the other thread dealing with this subject,

What is the difference between Anointing & the last rites?

 

[1ke]

What is the difference between Anointing & the last rites?

Anointing of the Sick is one of the sacraments of healing. “Last Rites” are the sacraments of Reconciliation, Anointing, and Eucharist for a person who is dieing.

You can read these sections of the Catechism on Anointing:

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P4K.HTM
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P4L.HTM
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P4M.HTM
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P4N.HTM

And Last Rites:

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P4O.HTM

 

[Like]

Thanks for the links!

 

[Matthew_Holford]

Any more than the rest of us, right

Au contraire, between ourselves no and in other cases very considerably less than some of our fellow posters.

 

[zab]

Au contraire, between ourselves no and in other cases very considerably less than some of our fellow posters.

OK, I’ll believe “some” but not all.

 

[laszlo]

Thanks! How about my 2nd. question?

Unlike the baptism and the Sacrament of penance the anointing of the sick is not necessary for the salvation. It confers grace to help to prepare yourself to death, but this grace can be received immediately by other means too. The case is the same as with the Eucharist: if you ask for it but the priest did not came, you did not received Christ’s body.

So the answer is no. If the priest did not come, you did not receive the sacrament of anointing.

I myself, since the danger of death was still real, called the priest, went to the Church and received the sacrament of the sick there.

Some churches keep regular occasions to distribute the sacrament of the anointment for the old and ill.

 

[FrDavid96]

Sorry, I should have read the other thread dealing with this subject,

What is the difference between Anointing & the last rites?

Anointing (or Unction, we can call it either) is one sacrament.

The Last Rites (note the plural) consists of the following:

The sacrament of Confession (at least in its minimal form, ie absolution)
The Apostolic Pardon (not a sacrament, but a special indulgence)
The sacrament of Unction
The sacrament of Communion as Viaticum (food for the journey)

It’s typical for Catholics to confuse the terms “last rites” and “anointing” many do.

The Sacrament of Anointing can be called either Anointing or Unction, as the words mean exactly the same thing. Unction should not be delayed until one is at the point of death, however, if death is indeed imminent, it is called “extreme Unction”

So, for your original question, before serious surgery, it would be most appropriate to ask the priest to administer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, but the term “last rites” should not be used, unless it’s expected that it will indeed be the “last time.”