Anointing of the Sick and Holy Orders
Read Lesson 34: Anointing of the Sick and Holy Orders in the St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism Book #2
For this week’s sacramental learning lesson we will cover 2 sacraments. This is a hearty lesson and if you prefer you can break it up into separate lessons, this is why we have it titled 11a and 11b. We are combining them here to best correspond with the Baltimore Catechism book #2 lessons and keep pace with our 30 weeks of catechism lessons in our Family Faith Formation program. For lesson 11b on Holy Orders see our subsequent post also dated the same lesson date.
Lesson 11a: Extreme Unction or Anointing of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick is one of the two sacraments of Healing, Reconciliation is the second. A priest is required to administer this sacrament. Laymen or Deacons or any other person does not have the authority to perform the healing powers of this sacrament. The Biblical basis for this sacrament can be found in the New Testament words from the Apostle James. It is in this passage we see where the Church formed the process of Anointing of the Sick which remains similar to this day.
Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
James 5:13-15
Before we get into the description of this sacrament we need to clarify some of the language which has caused some people to be confused about this sacrament. The name Extreme Unction dates back to around the 12th Century. Later we see it being used in the Council of Trent to reaffirm the Church’s belief that Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament instituted by Christ. (This was in response to the Protestant denial of this being a sacrament.) While some may continue using the original name of Extreme Unction for the Anointing of the Sick we need to discuss what and why the Church came to change the name of the sacrament. Many older Catholics would recognize this sacrament as Extreme Unction or as it became called: Last Rites. We now call this sacrament: Anointing of the Sick.
What has changed is essentially a rebranding.
CCC 1512: From ancient times in the liturgical traditions of both East and West, we have testimonies to the practice of anointings of the sick with blessed oil. Over the centuries the Anointing of the Sick was conferred more and more exclusively on those at the point of death. Because of this it received the name “Extreme Unction.” Notwithstanding this evolution the liturgy has never failed to beg the Lord that the sick person may recover his health if it would be conducive to his salvation.
The Church realized that its people were becoming reluctant to use this sacrament to its fullest potential all because of the common practice of waiting until a person was at their last moments to call on a priest to visit. (See more about the Sick Call Crucifix tradition below.) The Church noticed that people were misunderstanding the significance of the most important part of the Extreme Unction: anointing. Anointing of the Sick is part of the Extreme Unction (Last Rites) process. In many cases people were refusing to have the Anointing of the Sick confusing it with being on death’s door and that by calling on a priest they were having to do Last Rites.
Oh how that can be off-putting!
Certainly there are times when a terrible injury or severe illness does not require Last Rites so it is completely understandable why people would refuse an Extreme Unction visit. Looking back to our historical* past and the early years of factory manufacturing you can see how in one example: A family’s Husband/Father is injured in the factory with a damaged hand or arm but not so severe of an injury as to be in death’s immediate shadow. Of course this man would be alarmed by what he and his family came to know is a Last Rites visit, they have neighbors they know the dangers their community has faced, death is a part of living in the world. This family would not want to call a priest for a visit because this visit int their minds is one of great morbidity. In an era of hopeless circumstances people began to stop using this powerful and healing sacrament.
What many Catholics were missing was the opportunity for the immense healing given to you when you receive the Anointing of the Sick part of the Extreme Unction visit. When a person receives the Anointing of the Sick they are invoking God’s divine succor for healing their physical suffering. During this sacrament you are given the healing gift of the Holy Spirit to be: strengthened to face the condition of the illness (or old age) with courage and peace, to trust in the will of God, to resist the temptations of the Devil, and to overcome anxiety over death. Anointing of the Sick can provide physical healing for the person. Many people have shared their stories of being quite ill and suffering greatly and can attribute their recovery to this remarkable sacrament.
Mark 5: 24-34
“a great crowd followed Jesus and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, ‘If I touch even his garments, I shall be made well.’ And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, immediately turned about in the crowd, and said, ‘Who touched my garments?’ And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’ And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.'”
In the Church’s wisdom the name for this sacrament was changed to bring about a more embracing view of welcoming the Anointing of the Sick visit into our homes. The Second Vatican Council determined that the sacrament of Extreme Unction should be broadened to offer healing and comfort in times of illness that may not lead to immediate death. Today you can request an Anointing of the Sick visit and a priest will determine what the person needs best. In many cases just the anointing is all they will need but if it is apparent to the priest that the person is in far more danger than anticipated the priest will perform the Last Rites portion of the sacrament.
What we need to impress upon our children is to remember the correct name for this sacrament as: Anointing of the Sick. People still mistakenly called it Last Rites which continues to dissuade its common use in times of our most vulnerable needs. The Baltimore Catechism summarizes the question: When is it advisable to call the priest to visit the sick?
"It is advisable to call the priest to visit the sick in any serious illness, even though there be no apparent danger of death, as it is the duty of the priest to visit the sick and to administer to them the sacraments they need. It is dangerous and even sinful to delay Anointing of the Sick because it might frighten the sick person. Anointing of the Sick has a calming effect and helps sick people overcome their fear. Even if a sick person might be frightened, it is better to be frightened than to die without the last sacraments."
The elements of this sacrament include:
- Penitential Prayer
- Liturgy of the Word or short reading from Scripture
- Priest lays hands on the sick person, usually on their head.
- Anointing with the Blessed Oil of the Infirm (Oleum Infirmorum) on the forehead and hands saying 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.”
In many cases the priest will also anoint specific areas on the infirm’s body. For example an injured limb, location of disease, etc.
This is the typical process for the Anointing of the Sick. If the person is likely to be near death then the priest will continue with the last rites process. Here is where the person will be given:
- Viaticum. Viaticum is the Holy Eucharist received by those who are about to die.
- Apostolic Pardon is removal all temporal punishment due to sin. The best way to see this is as being a dying person’s last Reconciliation with a special blessing of a plenary indulgence. Depending on the condition of the person. In most cases Reconciliation will be done before they receive viaticum.
- Prayer of Commendation Prayers for Death and Dying
Watch: Here is a short 2 minute video by Father Daniel O’Reilly of St. Philip Neri parish in the Bronx, NYC about Anointing of the Sick. This is a great summarization about the sacrament hitting all the significant points of understanding the use of this very important sacrament. This video is appropriate for all ages in your home. It is very useful even for your Communion aged children.
What is a Sick call crucifix? This is a long forgotten tradition that was a part of every Catholic’s home. This special type of crucifix was made into a kit that you hang up on a wall in your home. Most traditionally in the bedroom of the parents. Many families have this crucifix in the main living space of the home to make it easily accessible in the times of need. You may have even never noticed that the crucifix hanging in the living room of a realtive’s home is actually a Sick Call crucifix. Read this article from Aleteia How to Use a Sick Call Crucifix by Philip Kosloski explains the tradition and how to use this special crucifix in your home. I agree with the author, this is a tradition that needs to be returned to our Catholic homes.
Assignment: We recommend integrating some saints into your discussion about the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Below we have provided many ideas for saints that can be connected with the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
The first saint we should all look to is St. Joseph, the patron of a happy death. From the Baltimore Catechism:
Resolve to pray every day calling upon St. Joseph the patron of a happy death that you will be granted the grace to receive the last sacraments at the hour of your death.
He is the saint for anyone facing severe illness and near death catastrophes. If you bring any saint into the discussion St. Joseph is an important lesson in the hope of us all to be surrounded on our deathbed by those who love us most just as Our Lady and Our Lord were at St. Jospeh’s side. Take time to pray for members of your family and community who may be sick and in need of some prayers.
Saints for Sickness: St. Angela Merici the patron saint of the sick, Patron saints for sick children, Saints of Healthcare,
Patron Saints for Healing is a list written by Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Montrose, MI. It lists specific ailments and the saints who are intercessors for these health conditions.
Saints for Dying and Death: St. Alphonsus Ligouri Momento Mori, St. Gertrude the Great souls in purgatory, St. Faustina Kowalska and Divine Mercy , St. Jude hope and impossible causes.
Students: You will write at minimum a one page* paper about a saint that is the patron of an illness, disease, purgatory, dying, or death. Introduce the saint with basic information about who this saint is and how they became drawn to Jesus. For clarification: Many saints joined religious by becoming nuns, brothers, priests. Others have not like Joan of Arc but were called to service in some way. Mention this process for your saint.) Conclude with why this saint is the patron. Include your own thoughts about this saint why you chose this saint to write about and how their vocation can inspire your own life. *We suggest older children aim to write up to 3 pages for this assignment.
Parents: Seriously consider acquiring a Sick Call Crucifix for your home and be open to utilizing this sacrament for healing in times of illness. If you have older family members ask them if they have one and ask them to show it to you. Ask them when and how have they used this crucifix in their home. Catholic supply stores still carry these special crucifixes. A simple web search will lead you to some retailers.
Rabbit Hole: Read the articles by Timothy P. O’Malley Associate Director for Research at Notre Dame How Did the Church Fare During the Black Death and 400 Years of the Plague? and Saints of the Black Death These articles can set into motion a good array of conversation particularly with the older children. Written post pandemic it does offer a reminder as to the call we have a Catholics to be slow to despair and quick to minister to those in most need.
**** Family Faith Formation November 14, 2023 Sacramental Lesson week: Enter by the Narrow Gate*****
- Note here for anyone who is homeschooling or additional schooling as we do. Here is a great segue way into a history lesson and sacrament lesson combination. Think manufacturing as it pertains to the Industrial Revolution with the onset of numerous factories being the new economic foundation of the nation. Work conditions, child labor, factory dangers, tenements, and other topics can be brought in to this lesson connecting the dots of our Catholic traditions and how they have changed based on our living in the secular world.
Additional schooling is another way to describe supplemental learning. Our children attend public schools and we teach them additional lessons at home. These vary and often have to do with the inspirations we discover and in many cases to go deeper into topics they have covered in their schools. Sciences, history, philosophy, art, and humanities are the focus. Learning is not linear. We think of learning as a web interconnecting together.
References:
Catholic News Agency. Lesson 25: On Extreme Unction and Holy Orders
Catholic Digest. Are Anointing of the Sick and Last Rites the Same? by Fr. Hugh Vincent Dyer, OP Nov. 23, 2020
Extreme Unction New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia
EWTN Anointing of the Sick: Medicine for Sinners by Fr. William Saunders
Aleteia. What is the Apostolic Pardon and Why is it Important? By Philip Kosloski. March 23, 2017.
The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism No. 2 Lesson 34 Anointing of the Sick and Holy Orders, pp 209-215. Catholic Book Publishing Corp. 2011.
The Small Pencil Catechist 