chapter 14: penance and the anointing of the sick introduction to catholicism

Chapter 14: Penance and the Anointing of

the SickINTRODUCTION TO CATHOLICISM

ANTICIPATORY SET

Free write for a few minutes about what the story of the woman caught in adultery (cf. Jn 8:1-11) reveals to you about the forgiveness of sins.

1. The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation (pp. 316-321)

BASIC QUESTIONS What is the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation? What are mortal and venial sins? When did Christ institute the Sacrament of Penance and

Reconciliation? KEY IDEAS The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is the Sacrament

of Healing in which Jesus Christ himself, through the actions of a priest, forgives those sins committed after Baptism, thereby reconciling us to God and to the Church.

A sin can be (1) mortal, that is, a grave offense against God resulting in a complete separation from God and spiritual death to the soul; or (2) venial, that is, a relatively minor offense that impairs but does not sever our relationship with God.

Christ instituted this Sacrament when he told the Apostles, “‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (Jn 20:22-23).


FOCUS QUESTIONS What did Christ provide when his people are in need of spiritual and physical healing? He instituted the Sacraments of Healing: the Sacrament of Penance for spiritual healing and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick for physical as well as spiritual healing. Why do people sometimes hesitate to receive these Sacraments? They are afraid to confess their sins or to admit they or a loved one may be dying.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What is the Sacrament of Penance? It is the Sacrament of Healing in which Jesus Christ himself, through the actions of a priest, forgives sins committed after Baptism. What does sin weaken or even break? Sin weakens and can even break the sinner’s relationship of communion with God and his Church. How does the Sacrament of Penance continue Christ’s public ministry? This Sacrament perpetuates Christ’s ministry of spiritual healing, which he initiated during his public ministry and now continues through the Holy Spirit acting in the Church.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What does each person’s sins do to the Church? They wound the Church. What does the Church do for sinners? “By charity, by example, and by prayer,” the Church “labors for their conversion” (LG 11 § 2).


FOCUS QUESTIONS What is concupiscence? Concupiscence is the tendency toward sin that everyone experiences, even after Baptism, as a consequence of Original Sin. How does the Sacrament of Penance relate to concupiscence? Although Baptism removes the guilt associated with Original Sin, it does not eliminate concupiscence, i.e., the tendency to sin. Christ, however, instituted the Sacrament of Penance to heal sinners from sins committed after Baptism.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What is sin? It is “an utterance, a deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law” and thus an “offense against God” (CCC 1849-1850). Extension: Because God is the author of human nature, sin is an act that violates human nature and harms both the sinner and others. Why does the Church distinguish between mortal and venial sins? The Church distinguishes between mortal and venial sins, because actual sins vary in seriousness and consequence. Extension: Seriousness refers to the gravity of the offense; e.g., killing one’s brother is more serious than punching him. Culpability indicates the degree of responsibility for the offense; e.g., a driver who causes an accident driving five miles above the speed limit is less culpable than one driving fifty miles above the speed limit.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What is a venial sin? A venial sin is an act that transgresses the moral law but is not grave enough to be a mortal sin. What is a mortal sin? A mortal sin destroys the relationship between God and the sinner, separating the person from the divine life of God and from the Church. What is the consequence of dying in a state of deliberate and unrepentant mortal sin? Having chosen to be and to remain separated from God in this life, the sinner will be separated from God for all eternity as well. This state of eternal self-separation from God is called Hell.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What three conditions must be met in order for a sin to be mortal? (1) The act must be a grave, or serious, matter; (2) the sinner must have full knowledge that the act is seriously wrong; (3) and the action must be freely chosen, i.e., not be performed under compulsion. Why should everyone strive to avoid even venial sin? Everyone should strive to avoid even venial sin because all sin is incompatible with a life of holiness and wholehearted love of God and neighbor.


GUIDED EXERCISE Work with a partner to think of an act that constitutes a mortal sin of commission or omission, being sure to specify how this act meets all three conditions of a mortal sin.


FOCUS QUESTIONS Are venial sins trivial? No; although they do not separate the sinner from God, venial sins can lead to mortal sins more easily. Why is frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance important? It gives grace, strengthens union with Christ, and makes it easier to recognize venial sins and to work so they do not become vices (bad habits).


FOCUS QUESTIONS What is the distinction between a sin of commission and a sin of omission? Doing something that should not be done is a sin of commission. Failing to do something that should be done is a sin of omission. How can venial sins lead to mortal sins? A person who neglects to battle small evils will find him- or herself more likely to commit greater evils.


GUIDED EXERCISE Think/Pair/Write/Share using the following question: How does the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

illustrate the gravity of sins of omission?


FOCUS QUESTIONS What are the Old Testament roots of the Sacrament of Penance? In the Old Testament, God provided his Chosen People with a ritual sacrifice to atone for sin, revealed the moral law through Moses, and sent Prophets who preached repentance and foretold the coming of a Messiah who would redeem the world from sin. What is conversion? Conversion is the continual, daily turning from sin to Christ that begins with Baptism and continues throughout the Christian life. According to Scripture, who alone can forgive sins? Only God can forgive sins.


FOCUS QUESTIONS

According to the Catechism, no. 1430, what should be the relationship between interior and exterior works of penance? Interior repentance of the heart (conversion) comes first and is then demonstrated in visible gestures and works of penance.

When did Christ institute the Sacrament of Penance? Christ instituted this Sacrament during a post-Resurrection appearance in the Upper Room, when he declared to his Apostles, “‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (Jn 20:22-23).

What dual reconciliation does the Sacrament of Penance effect? The Sacrament of Penance effects the reconciliation of the sinner with (1) God and (2) the Church community.


GUIDED EXERCISE Work with a partner to ask and answer three Focus Questions about the material in the sidebar, “Why Go to Confession?” (p. 321). The questions should reflect with what you consider the most important ideas in the section.


GUIDED EXERCISE Perform a focused reading of the paragraph “This authority to forgive sins…” including the quote from CCC 1445, using the following question: What is the meaning of the power of the “keys” with

respect to forgiveness of sins?


HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT Study Questions 1-4 (p. 336) Practical Exercise 1 (p. 337) Workbook Questions 1-14 Read “Celebrating Penance” through the sidebar

“Indulgences” (pp. 321-326)


CLOSURE Write a paragraph summarizing the essence of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.


ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT Work with a partner to complete Practical Exercise 1, an apologetic for Penance.


ANTICIPATORY SET Free write for a few minutes about what the Parable of the Prodigal Son (cf. Lk 15:11-32) reveals to you about forgiveness.

2. The Celebration and the Effects of Penance (pp. 321-326)

BASIC QUESTIONS What are the matter, form, and minister of the Sacrament

of Penance? What are the effects of the Sacrament of Penance? KEY IDEAS The matter of the Sacrament of Penance is the contrition,

confession, and satisfaction of the penitent. The form of Penance is the words of absolution spoken by the priest on the authority of Jesus Christ. The minster of Penance is a bishop or priest.

The Sacrament of Penance forgives mortal and venial sins, restores sanctifying grace and imparts actual graces, and reconciles the recipient with God and the Church.


FOCUS QUESTIONS Where is the Rite of Penance ordinarily celebrated? The Sacrament of Penance is normally celebrated in a confessional or reconciliation room. Extension: In the Eastern Catholic Churches, this Sacrament is often celebrated in front of an icon of Christ in the nave of the church as the penitent quietly (almost silently) confesses his or her sins as the priest or bishop witnesses and pronounces God’s forgiveness. Who may receive the Sacrament of Penance? Any baptized Catholic may receive the Sacrament of Penance.


FOCUS QUESTIONS Who must celebrate the Sacrament of Penance, according to Church law? (1) Every Catholic over the age of reason must confess his or her grave sins at least once per year; (2) no one who is aware of an unconfessed mortal sin may receive Holy Communion until he or she has been absolved in the Sacrament of Penance; and (3) in the Latin Rite, a child must go to Confession before receiving First Holy Communion. Extension: The first requirement enables Catholics to obey the Church’s precept of receiving Holy Communion at least once per year (during the Easter season). The second is based on St. Paul’s admonition to examine one’s conscience before going to Communion. What is the matter of the Sacrament of Penance? It is the “acts of the penitent”—specifically, the contrition, confession, and satisfaction of the penitent.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What is contrition? Contrition refers to a true sorrow for having sinned. What two kinds of contrition are there? Perfect contrition arises from love for God. Imperfect contrition arises from fear of eternal damnation or a consciousness of the “ugliness” of sin. Either is sufficient for forgiveness, although perfect contrition is better. What is confession? It is the disclosure of sins to the priest in the Sacrament of Penance.


GUIDED EXERCISE Think/Pair/Share using the following question: On the part of the penitent, what could invalidate a

sacramental confession?


FOCUS QUESTION Why is an examination of conscience recommended before receiving the Sacrament of Penance? It is recommended so the penitent is aware of all sins that should be confessed.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What limit is there to God’s forgiveness of sins? On God’s part, there is no limit to his forgiveness of sins. What do both the Parable of the Prodigal Son and the Parable of the Lost Sheep illustrate? Both parables illustrate that God himself seeks out people when they are lost in sin and is overjoyed upon their repentance and return to him.


FOCUS QUESTION What is required on the part of a penitent to be forgiven? All that is required is contrition, which includes a resolution to start anew and to avoid all sin in the future. Extension: A penitent can resolve to avoid all sin even though, realistically, he or she knows it cannot be successful. Nonetheless, while aware of this weakness, he or she must still orient the will away from sin and toward God and recommit him- or herself to the path of sanctification.


GUIDED EXERCISE Memorize an Act of Contrition (p. 324).


FOCUS QUESTIONS What sins must be confessed? All mortal sins must be confessed. What sins ought to be confessed? Venial sins ought to be confessed. What does kind and number mean with respect to the Sacrament of Penance? A person should name each sin and state how many times he or she committed it.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What is satisfaction? Satisfaction is the carrying out of the penance imposed by the bishop or priest in the Sacrament of Penance. When should the penance be performed? It should be performed as soon as possible, ideally immediately after the Rite is concluded.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What is the form of the Sacrament of Penance? The form is the words of absolution spoken by the bishop or priest, “I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Who is the minister of the Sacrament of Penance? A bishop or priest is the minister of the Sacrament of Penance. Extension: Christ is the true minister of every Sacrament, acting through his human minister.


FOCUS QUESTIONS How was the Rite of the Sacrament of Penance different in the first centuries of the Church? In the early Church, the Sacrament was generally celebrated publicly, and penances were longer and more severe. Extension: Public confession, moreover, was followed by a long and severe public penance, followed by public absolution. Today, by contrast, private confession is followed by private absolution, followed by a usually easily-performed private penance. What is the seal of confession? The seal of confession refers to the fact that the bishop or priest cannot divulge to anyone, under any circumstances, what was said to him in the Sacrament of Penance.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What are the two options generally offered for individual Confession? Generally offered are (1) anonymous and (2) face-to-face. Why should a person tell the priest how long it has been since his or her last Confession? This information helps the priest appreciate the state of a person’s spiritual life. For example, a week between Confessions means something different than not having celebrated it for thirty years. Why is it a good custom to practice prayer, penance, and almsgiving in addition to sacramental Penance? These acts, good in themselves, strengthen people against temptation and guard them against sin.


GUIDED EXERCISE Work with a partner to summarize the various effects of a valid celebration of the Sacrament of Penance.


FOCUS QUESTION What is an indulgence? An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints (cf. CCC 1471).


FOCUS QUESTIONS What is the difference between a partial and a plenary indulgence? A partial indulgence removes part of the temporal punishment due for forgiven sins, whereas a plenary indulgence removes all the temporal punishment due for forgiven sins. What is the Enchiridion? It is the Church’s official list of indulgenced prayers and actions.


GUIDED EXERCISE Mini-lecture on indulgences.


HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT Study Questions 5-14 (p. 336) Practical Exercise 2 (p. 337) Workbook Questions 15-29 Read “II. Anointing of the Sick” through “Conclusion”

(pp. 327-332)


CLOSURE Write a paragraph summarizing the matter, form, minister, and effects of the Sacrament of Penance.


ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT Work with a partner to complete Practical Exercise 2 on advice to give to someone who deliberately did not confess a mortal sin out of embarrassment.


ANTICIPATORY SET Free write for a few minutes on what struck you most about the miracle of the raising of Jairus’s daughter (cf. Lk 8:40-42, 49-56).

3. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick (pp. 327-332)

BASIC QUESTIONS What is the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick? What are the matter, form, and minister of the Sacrament of the

Anointing of the Sick? What are the effects of the Anointing of the Sick?

KEY IDEAS Anointing of the Sick is the Sacrament of Healing that gives

health to the soul—and sometimes to the body—by prayer and anointing with oil, which confers special grace on a Christian who is in danger of death from grave illness or old age.

The matter of the Anointing of the Sick is oil and the laying on of hands; the form is the accompanying prayer; and the minister is a priest.

The effects of Anointing of the Sick are uniting the suffering person to the Passion of Christ; bestowing graces to endure those sufferings in a Christian manner; forgiving sins; and if it is good for the person’s soul, restoring physical health.


GUIDED EXERCISE Work with a partner to perform a paragraph shrink on CCC 1502.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What is the Anointing of the Sick? The Anointing of the Sick is a Sacrament of Healing that gives health to the soul—and sometimes to the body—by prayer and anointing with oil and confers special grace on Christians who are in danger of death from grave illness or old age. What does the Church exhort the sick and suffering to do? They should contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting their sufferings to the Passion and Death of Christ. How was sickness viewed in the Old Testament? The Israelites understood illness as somehow linked to sin and believed that repentance could lead to healing.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What was the rationale for the attitude that the man born blind was stricken with his condition because of his or his parents’ sin? It was the attitude that a person’s illness was a punishment for sin. How is suffering really connected to sin? Sin and suffering both originate in the disorder of Original Sin, but human suffering is not distributed in proportion to the sins of each individual.


FOCUS QUESTIONS When did Christ institute the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick? It is not known exactly when Christ instituted the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, but he did heal many people, usually by laying his hands on them. He also appointed his Apostles to heal, and they obediently carried on his work and “anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them” (Mk 6:13). Why did Christ heal people? Christ healed people both to demonstrate that he is the Messiah and to show compassion for those who were suffering.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What is the Christian attitude toward the sick and suffering? Christians should live out the virtue of charity by caring for the sick and suffering. Why is Christ called the Divine Physician? He is God, and he heals the whole man, soul and body.


FOCUS QUESTIONS What do Christ’s Passion and Death reveal with respect to each Christian’s own suffering and death? It allows each Christian to understand his or her own suffering and death as crosses to be embraced in order to share in Christ’s ministry of compassion and healing. How did St. James testify to the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick? He indicated that the priests (elders) of the Church should pray over the sick person, anointing him or her with oil, to heal him and forgive sins.


FOCUS QUESTIONS Who may receive the Anointing of the Sick? Anyone may receive it who has reached the age of reason and is in danger of death due to illness or old age, or who is about to undergo a serious surgical operation. Extension: In the Eastern Catholic Churches, it is common to have a service of Anointing on the Wednesday of Holy Week wherein the whole congregation recognizes its spiritual sickness and celebrates the Anointing. Should those who are in danger of death be informed about their condition? Yes; they should so they can prepare for death and reconcile with God and others.


FOCUS QUESTIONS Can the Anointing of the Sick be received more than once? Yes; it may be received again with the occurrence of a new, serious illness or when the recipient’s condition worsens. Why can the Anointing be given conditionally to those who are unconscious or even recently deceased? Such persons would presumably desire to receive it. Furthermore, people thought to be dead may in fact still be alive and can benefit from the Anointing.


GUIDED EXERCISE Think/Pair/Share using the following question: How should Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, and

Viaticum contribute to a person’s “happy death”?


FOCUS QUESTIONS What is the matter of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick? The matter of this Sacrament is sacred oil and the laying on of hands. What is the form of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick? In the ordinary form of the Latin Rite, the form of this Sacrament is the prayer, “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.”


FOCUS QUESTIONS Who is the minister of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick? A bishop or priest is the minister of this Sacrament. Is the Anointing of the Sick a private or public rite? This Sacrament is a public action of the Church, even if celebrated for just one sick person.


FOCUS QUESTIONS With what other Sacraments should Anointing of the Sick be celebrated? If possible, the Sacrament of Penance should precede the Anointing of the Sick, which should then be followed by reception of the Eucharist. What is Viaticum? Viaticum is Latin for “food for the journey” and refers to the Eucharist given to a dying person in preparation for his or her heavenly journey.


GUIDED EXERCISE Work with a partner to summarize the effects of the Anointing of the Sick.


HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT Study Questions 15-20 (p. 336) Practical Exercises 3-4 (p. 337) Workbook Questions 30-43


CLOSURE Write a paragraph summarizing the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.


ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT Work with a partner to complete Practical Exercise 3 on what is owed to a person close to death.


THE END

chapter 14: penance and the anointing of the sick introduction to catholicism

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