Anointing of the Sick

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Diocese of Biloxi 19 October 2016

Roman Ritual 1614

Viaticum preceded extreme unction

Holy water, prayers, confession, 7 penitential psalms, litany of the saints, prayers during anointing, handlaying, anointing of eyes, ears, nose, lips, hands, and feet, prayers, holy water, cross for veneration

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1917 Canon Law

Administered to those “who by an appropriate use of reason have turned because of infirmity or old age to danger of death.”

Benedict XV: may be administered “as soon as their condition worsens”

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SC 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.

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Vatican II

SC 74: In addition to the separate rites for anointing of the sick and for viaticum, a continuous rite shall be prepared according to which the sick man is anointed after he has made his confession and before he receives viaticum.

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SC 75 The number of the anointings is to be adapted to the occasion, and the prayers which belong to the rite of anointing are to be revised so as to correspond with the varying conditions of the sick who receive the sacrament.

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Lumen gentium 11: By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of her priests the whole Church commends the sick to the suffering and glorified Lord, asking that He may lighten their suffering and save them; she exhorts them, moreover, to contribute to the welfare of the whole people of God by associating themselves freely with the passion and death of Christ.

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Chrism mass: God of all consolation, you chose and sent your Son to heal the world. Graciously listen to our prayer of faith: send the power of your Holy Spirit, the Consoler, into this precious oil, this soothing ointment, this rich gift, this fruit of the earth. Bless this oil + and sanctify it for our use. Make this oil a remedy for all who are anointed with it; heal them in body, in soul, and in spirit, and deliver them in every affliction.

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Reforms after Vatican II

Any vegetable oil permitted

Revised formula: “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.”

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General Introduction

Mystery of human suffering: sickness has meaning, yet we hope Christ will heal

Anointing before surgery or for serious illness permitted

Children with the use of reason, though anointing younger children is tolerated

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Pastoral Care of the Sick

Visits to the sick

Visits to a sick child

Communion of the sick, whether in ordinary circumstances or in a hospital or institution

Anointing of the sick outside or within mass, or in a hospital or institution

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Viaticum within or outside of mass

Commendation of the dying

Prayers for the dead

Rites for exceptional circumstances.

Continuous rites of penance and anointing

Rites for emergencies

For Christian Initiation of the dying

Readings, responses and verses from sacred scripture

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Catechism 1499-1532

Christ as physician, yet made human misery his own

Healing as a sign of salvation

History of anointing

Effects: gift of the Holy Spirit, union with the passion of Christ, ecclesial grace, and preparation for one’s final journey of life

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Reforms of the rite

liturgical form with revised formula

intended for those who are seriously ill or weakened from old age

communal setting possible

repeatable

intended to strengthen the faith and pray for healing

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Communal anointing

Discerning who is sick

Keeping pastoral record

Individual handlaying, anointing, and formula

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Service Recipient Minister

Visiting the Sick Any sick person Anyone

Communion Any sick person eligible and capable

Communion minister

Anointing Reality or possibility of serious illness

Priest

Reconciliation Any eligible sick person

Priest

Viaticum One who is dying Communion minister

Prayers for the dying One who is dying Anyone

Prayers for the dead One who has died Anyone