Would Anointing of the Sick be appropriate?

[Merry]

I am a new Catholic, and I have a question about anointing of the sick.

My 3 year old son is scheduled for surgery in 2 weeks. It is relatively minor day surgery, but he will be put under general anesthetic.

Would it be appropriate to ask our priest to preform the anointing of the sick? I thought I remembered it being mentioned as appropriate before surgery during RCIA, but I’m not sure. If I do ask, would I normally bring him down to the church? Or invite the priest here? For supper or just to drop by?

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[JMJ_coder]

I am a new Catholic, and I have a question about anointing of the sick.

My 3 year old son is scheduled for surgery in 2 weeks. It is relatively minor day surgery, but he will be put under general anesthetic.

Would it be appropriate to ask our priest to preform the anointing of the sick? I thought I remembered it being mentioned as appropriate before surgery during RCIA, but I’m not sure. If I do ask, would I normally bring him down to the church? Or invite the priest here? For supper or just to drop by?

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks!

From Canon Law:
Can. 1004 §1. The anointing of the sick can be administered to a member of the faithful who, having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age.

§2. This sacrament can be repeated if the sick person, having recovered, again becomes gravely ill or if the condition becomes more grave during the same illness.

Now, I’m of the opinion that surgery involving general anesthetic qualifies as seriously ill and a Pastor could make that call. But, as your son is only 3 years old, he is not considered to have reached the age of reason – which is generally held to be 7. So, therefore I don’t think the Sacrament would be appropriately administered.

 

[DeepeningFaith]

Hmm… I agree with JMJ that I feel that surgery involving general anesthetic qualifies as seriously ill. I know many people that have received Annointing of the Sick before going in for surgery, minor or not.

You can go to the Church for an annointing, have the Priest come to your home. Feeding the Priest is always optional, but I nice idea.

Now onto the age issue. 3 years old is not the age of reason as determined by the Church. I believe that 7 yrs of is the universal age, if not only in the US. I work with a lot of different priests and I can’t recall them ever annointing a baby that was about to go in for surgery, they simply baptized the child.

Now, I do not believe that the child’s age affects the validy of the Sacrament, but we are all called to obedience. So, simply ask your Priest if he would annoint or not. He may just do a blessing, which Priests can do practically at any time, for anyone, and for any reason. Hopefully some Priests here will chime in.

I will keep your son in my prayers! God bless!

 

[choy]

hi, since you mentioned that you are a new Catholic, was your son also recently Baptized?

since your son is not yet in the age of reason, Baptism has already cleansed him of Original Sin, and being young enough cannot sin until he reaches age of reason. what other effects of the Sacrament are you after? perhaps you can contact your parish and have him included in the daily intentions for a safe surgery and a speedy recovery

 

[puzzleannie]

the child below the age of reason does not need anointing of the sick because he has no sins to be forgiven. However what should be done even for a very young child who is in danger of death, or facing a risky surgery, or receiving treatment for a serious disease like cancer that carries with it the possibility of death, is confirmation.
Speak to your pastor. He will certainl anoint the child if you ask him to, but ask him if confirmation is warranted in your child’s situation.