Anointing of the Sick
Posted on 08/17/2013 9:21:52 AM PDT by marshmallow
The Rev. Patrick Dowling was driving near Hannibal, Mo., on a two-lane highway flanked by corn stalks on one side and soy beans on the other.
Dowling had just celebrated Mass on a Sunday afternoon earlier this month, filling in for a sick colleague when he saw the accident. He pulled over, got out of his white Toyota Camry and walked toward members of the New London Fire Department who, for 45 minutes, had been having difficulty extracting 19-year-old Katie Lentz from a crushed, 24-year-old Mercedes 300E.
What he did next would unexpectedly trigger an international media frenzy over miracles, angels and divine intervention.
After officials allowed him to approach the accident, Dowling reached his arm well into the car to touch Lentz’s head with oil. “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit,” he said. “May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.”
The prayer was the Anointing of the Sick, an ancient ritual with roots in Judaism that is one of Catholicism’s seven sacraments.
As the priest walked away from the Mercedes, Lentz — a member of an Assemblies of God Pentecostal church — asked him to return and pray aloud with her, which he did. He then moved out of the way so rescue efforts could resume.
Dowling said in an interview this week that he was only doing his job at the sight of someone hovering near death. “You stop and anoint because that’s what Jesus told us to do,” he said.
That casual attitude about the incident may partially explain Dowling’s unceremonious departure from the accident scene. After staying long enough to see the teen evacuated to her hometown of Quincy, Ill., he got into his.......
(Excerpt) Read more at stltoday.com ...
Christian Scientists are still on to something.
The question I’ve had is: Why did he give her absolution and anointing when she is not a Catholic?
It's called wishful thinking. Same reason why people play the lottery, have excessive hope, and make up gods and religions. It permits a simulation of optimism.
No, though I can’t quote any studies at the moment, I think it has been shown that the mind (as an integral part of the body) has a strong influence over the (rest of the) body.
Yeah. Worrying less helps. If believing in Buddha reduces stress, it’ll help with health. Look at all the long-living Asians.
hey A.G.
so you must have missed that part about the Good Samaritan not being a Jew.
Lurking’
Read St. Augustine: “Our hearts are restless Lord, until they rest in Thee”.
Because he believes in the power of these sacraments regardless of the condition of the recipient.
It is called CHARITY.
Pastoral necessity. Danger of death trumps many restrictions in Canon Law.
My question is why did he let the whole thing blow up with rumors and speculation instead of coming forward at the beginning.
Excuuuuse me!
The answer to your question is in the article.
I guess that if, someone not of your religion, sincerely offered to pray for you, you would refuse.
The normal person who comes across such an accident would try to find out if the girl lived or died. Someone who prayed for her would be even more interested to keep abreast of the outcome, imo. I bet the EMS and firemen took a couple minutes out of their busy days to catch a news story on it.
Priests’ duties are largely anonymous. The TLM is ad orientam in part because it really doesn’t matter who the celebrant is. It only matters that he is an ordained priest of God.
Same thing with this case. I have read about possibly hundreds of such cases. The priest is supposed to do his duty and then slip away. It is for God and the glory of God. Not for the priest. We are not supposed to have men of God be prancing, dancing medicine men upon the stage for all to marvel at.
Seriesly? I'm seriesly biting my tongue here.
No.
Even if the priest didn't ask her if she was baptized, he could anoint her conditionally, couldn't he? Or --- if that's not quite right --- since she was asking for prayers, he could assume she had Baptism of Desire, couldn't he?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.