The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick Chapter 7

“IS ANYONE AMONG YOU SUFFERING?” The answer for any family or community is yes. Suffering among the gravest problems we face in life We often ask the questions “Why me?” or “How could God let this happen?” Become angry with God Become self absorbed Despite the pain of suffering much good can come from it It can lead one to God As well as a discovery of what is important in life and what is not

Suffering and the Old Testament Sickness was considered a moral condition; a punishment for their sins Original Sin = transmission of wounded human nature to all descendants Humans become subject to ignorance, suffering, and death Became Church doctrine “Law of Retribution” People who were afflicted was due to theirs or their families sins People who were healthy and rich were deemed upright and moral Dismissed by Jesus

Theodicy The theological question that tries to connect belief in God’s justice with the reality that sometimes good people suffer unjustly and die Also the attempt to explain how evil can be present at the same time that God is omnipotently present Attempts to answer the question of “Why is God letting this happen?” Defines the issues faced by Job Job rejects the notion that his suffering is a result of sin and comes to realize that even those who love God the most are subject to suffering

CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Main objective is to unite us to the Passion and Death of Christ Administered by a priest as a representative of the Church Intended for: Those who re dangerously ill due to sickness or old age May be repeated for those who recover but have illness return Those who are sick and about to undergo surgery for the sickness The elderly who may not be sick but become weak Sick children if there is reason Sick people who lose consciousness If person dies before receiving the sacrament the priest prays for the person, asking God for forgiveness and entrance into the Kingdom but does not administer it. If unsure if person is dead it is administered conditionally

Rite of Anointing Takes place in communal setting Hospital, home, church, hospice, etc. Family and friends encouraged to be present May be for an individual or for an entire group in need of healing Priest or Bishop wears white vestments If done during Mass it takes place after the homily Those who are to be anointed are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Penance prior Consists of eight parts Introductory Rites, Liturgy of the Word, Litany or Prayer of the Faithful, Laying on of Hands, Blessing of Oil, Prayer of Thanksgiving, Anointing with Oil, and Prayer after the Anointing

Introductory Rites Priest greets the sick person as well as the people gathered for support Remembers the words of the Apostle James “Is there anyone sick among you?” Offers penitential rite if confession not made prior

Liturgy of the Word May consist of: A first reading (usually Old Testament) A Responsorial Psalm A second reading (usually New Testament) Gospel acclamation Gospel reading Homily In cases of necessity the Liturgy of the Word may be considerably shortened Along with act of repentance opens up the sacrament by calling to mind the words of Christ and awakening the faith of the sick as well as those present

Litany (Prayer of the Faithful) May be adapted for the particular situation

Laying on of Hands An imitation of Jesus who healed many people by laying hands on them or touching them Priest prays over sick in the faith of the Church Epiclesis: asking for the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit

Blessing of Oil Done at Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper Representatives from each parish are in attendance with Oil of Sick, Sacred Chrism, and Oil of Catechumens Bishop blesses each oil individually In case of necessity any priest may bless the oil as well using the same words as the bishop

Prayer of Thanksgiving Thanks God for sending His Son to live among us and bring us salvation Praises Christ for his humility to share in our humanity Praises the Holy Spirit for healing power Asks God through Christ to heal the one to be anointed with Holy Oil

Anointing with Oil of the Sick Anoints the sick persons forehead “Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit.” Then anoints the hands of the sick person “May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.”

Prayer after Anointing The prayer should be drawn on parts of Scripture that speak of the mystery of human suffering in Christ The sick also encourage to pray alone or with family members

Viaticum - “Food for the Journey” A separate liturgical rite for those who are dying Considered our “last rites” Eucharist Penance Anointing Renewal of our baptismal vows Marks the end of our earthly pilgrimage and prepares us to enter eternal life

THE GRACE OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Not to be considered a magic cure Cannot expect to be immediately cured of all our ailments However, miracles have and can occur Important to keep in mind Healing ALWAYS takes place as a result of the sacrament in some way Results are tangible and real

The Sacrament is a Particular Gift of the Holy Spirit The first grace a person experiences is to accept the trials of being sick Gives us strength, peace, and courage to overcome the trials Our soul is healed, and if it is God’s will also our body In addition, our sins are forgiven

The Sacrament Provides a grace to Unite with the Passion of Christ Suffering is given a new meaning when it connects us to the saving works of Christ Suffering is a result of Original Sin and before Christ was a very hopeless situation Now we join Christ Think watching your teammates undergo a punishment for your sake as opposed to you doing it with them

The Sacrament Is a Grace for the Church By uniting ourselves to Christ through the Sacrament we witness to the truth of Christ’s Redemption The bonds of the Body of Christ are strengthened Those outside experience the truth that has occurred because of your faith

The Sacrament Is a Preparation for the Final Journey We accept our situation as Jesus accepted his in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus began to feel sorrow and distress but after pray became encouraged and accepted his death Reminds us of our transformation in Baptism and Confirmation Recalls for us that our lives have meaning and purpose

HOW WE LIVE THE EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT Causes us to look at suffering in a new way Move from self-centeredness to God-centeredness

From Self-Centeredness to God-Centeredness Conversion - abandon ourselves for God Grow in holiness by imitating the same attitude toward suffering as Christ did Identify with Jesus St. Therese of Lisieux St. Ignatius of Loyola ***Put away the self that we want and take up the life that we are called to Christ = “Anointed One” When we celebrate this Sacrament we are anointed and joined to Christ

From Self-Centeredness to Other-Centeredness Transformation into Christ means that we willingly sacrifice ourselves for others Bring healing to others We know what it is like to suffering and receive healing We can share our first hand experience of God’s compassion with others and encourage them in their suffering