Anointing of the Sick: A Healing Intervention at the Bedside [Catholic caucus]

Catholic Lane ^ | 4/26/2011 | Fr. Christopher M. Saliga, O.P. R.N.

[Mary Kochan]

Within clinical practice, I frequently encounter well-intentioned people who erroneously confuse “healing” with cure, people such as fellow health care professionals, Catholic patients and their family members, health care proxy decision makers, among others. Following upon this confusion, they misunderstand the place of the “healing sacraments” such as the Eucharist, reconciliation, and anointing of the sick in patients’ overall quests for “healing.” When this occurs, these folks “tend to consult priests for sacramental interventions when it is thought that there is nothing left to do but pray — a last-ditch, placebo-type ‘holistic’ palliative intervention.”

[Mary Kochan]

Great explanation of this sacrament by a Dominican priest who is also an RN, Fr. Christopher Saliga.

[surroundedbyblue]

Thanks for this!

[kitkat]

Is Anointing of the Sick the same as the Last Sacrament?

[Mary Kochan]

Yes. However, it can be administered in danger of death or in a dangerous situation, even when someone is not dying, such a prior to an operation. And the father brings out that because people think the recipient of the sacrament has to be on the verge of death, they often wait too late to ask for the priest. This is a good article for anyone with aged or ill loved ones to read. And we should make sure our own families understand this so that we are not accidentally denied the grace of this sacrament.

[Salvation]

I asked for the Anointing of the Sick twice. Each before a major surgery. My priest was very happy to do it. (We never know what can happen on the operating table!)

[Salvation]

 

Final Analysis

Whether one legitimately fears probable death or one is going for a common but serious surgery reasonably expected to bring cure rather than death, one would do well to seek out Anointing of the Sick for the good of his/her own sanctification. In cases in which one is guilty of sin, one should also have his/her confession heard unto absolution and receive Eucharist. Doing so gives a person all the reason in the world to be at peace. In the end, rather than inappropriately treating these sacraments of healing as quasi “last-ditch placebo-type ‘holistic’ palliative interventions,” [13] viewing them superstitiously, or not thinking of them at all, one should begin with them and continue to practice them and other prayer forms insofar as one is capable throughout one’s course of treatment even, and perhaps most especially, when cure is probably impossible.

[Salvation]

Anointing of the Sick: A Healing Intervention at the Bedside [Catholic caucus]
[CATHOLIC CAUCUS] Zsa Zsa Gabor asks for 'last rites' from priest
[CATHOLIC / ORTHODOX CAUCUS] Restoring Greater Reverence to Sick Calls
What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Anointing of the Sick [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
Catholic Biblical Apologetics: Opportunities of Grace: Healing/Anointing of the Sick

Health Care Council Letter to Priests, "A Priest at the Bedside of a Sick Person Represents Christ"
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Radio Replies First Volume - Extreme Unction
The Catechism of St. Thomas Aquinas, EXTREME UNCTION, HOLY ORDERS, MATRIMONY, Summary of Sacraments
Farrah Fawcett 'given last rites'
Beginning Catholic: The Anointing of the Sick: Comfort and Healing [Ecumenical]
On Fr. Neuhaus (Received Last Rites)
Despite his own injuries, priest gave last rites to crash victims
A Brief Catechism for Adults - Lesson 27: The Sacrament of Extreme Unction

[Mary Kochan]

That is good and just the right attitude. I think some Catholics are of the opinion that it can only be received once, but that is not the case. God is very generous to us in the sacraments and we should take advantage of his generosity because this pleases Him and greatly aids us in our weakness.