Anointing of the Sick - Religion Ch 5

What was Christ's ministry of healing?

Christ healed people from physical infirmity out of compassion and to show he was the Messiah.

How has the Church continued Christ's ministry of healing?

One of the major missions of the Church is the alleviation of human suffering, which she has faithfully carried out over the centuries.

How are the two Sacraments of Healing implicit in Christ's healing of the paralytic man (Mt 9:1-8)?

Christ forgave the man's sins (Sacrament of Reconciliation) and healed him of his sickness (Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick)

What are ways Christ showed his concern for the sick during his time on earth?

He healed many who were ill, showed the meaning of suffering, gave his Apostles the power to heal, and he instituted the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.

What was one of the most powerful signs that showed that Christ passed his powers on to his Church after his Ascension?

The Apostles affected many physical healings.

The Sacraments and Life's Journey: Baptism

Birth

How does Baptism (Birth) help us?

A new brith in the Spirit, restoring our friendship with God and recreating us in his image.

The Sacraments and Life's Journey: Eucharist

Food

How does Eucharist (Food) help us?

Spiritual food uniting us to God and the Church.

The Sacraments and Life's Journey: Confirmation

Maturity

How does Confirmation (Maturity) help us?

Seal of the Spirit to fully live the Christian life

The Sacraments and Life's Journey: Reconciliation

Sin

How does Reconciliation (Sin) help us?

Forgiveness and spiritual healing for the soul

The Sacraments and Life's Journey: Anointing of the Sick

Sickness, Injury, and Old Age

How does Anointing of the Sick (Sickness, Injury, and Old Age) help us?

Spiritual graces and physical healing for those who are in danger of death

What were the two reasons Christ performed miracles of physical healing?

To show compassion toward those who suffered and to demonstrate that he was the Messiah.

In what sense is Christ the Divine Physician?

Christ heals the whole man: the body through healing and the soul through forgiveness of sins.

What does it mean that Christ "identifies himself" with the sick (CCC 1503)?

In his interpretation of the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, Christ says what we do for the sick, we do for Christ.

What did Pope Paul VI say about Extreme Unction in 1972?

" '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 appropriate time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived.' (10) The fact that the use of this sacrament concerns the whole church is shown by these words: 'By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of her priests, the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, asking that he may lighten their suffering and save them (cf James 5:14-16). 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 (cf. Rom. 8:17; Col. 1:24; 2 Tim. 2:11-12; 1 Pt. 4:13." (11)

How has Christs' concern for the sick been manifested in the life of his Church through the centuries?

The Church considers the relief of human suffering as one of its primary missions. This is attested to by thousands of Catholic hospitals and by religious congregations and saints who have dedicated their lives to helping the sick.

Is helping the sick and suffering only the responsibility of Christians specially called to it?

No. It is every Christian's responsibility.

Is Anointing of the Sick only concerned with healing of the body?

No. It is concerned with both the body and the soul.

When is the Sacrament administered?

It can be administered whenever a person is afflicted with serious sickness, reaches old age, or is facing death.

Who was Bernadette?

A young girl to whom Our Lady appeared in 1858.

What is the meaning of the healings of Lourdes and the name the "Lady" told Bernadette?

With the healings and the name, "The Immaculate Conception," Our Lady was confirming the title which the Church had given the Virgin Mary just four years earlier.

What does the title "Immaculate Conception" mean?

It means that Mary, the Mother of God, was preserved free from the stain of Original Sin from the moment of her conception.

How many cures has the Church officially declared to be miraculous at Lourdes?

At this time, sixty seven.

Why did Jesus choose to heal through physical touch?

Jesus chose to heal through physical touch as a sacramental sign of spiritual healing and of the arrival of the Kingdom of God.

How do we know Christ instituted the Anointing of the Sick?

Jesus associated his Apostles with his healing ministry and instituted the Anointing of the Sick as recorded in the Epistle of St. James.

What did Jesus ask from those who came seeking healing?

Faith in him

What do the seven examples of physical healings Jesus performed have in common? (Pp. 136-137)

In each of them there is physical touch: either Jesus touches them or they touch him.

What was Jesus's ultimate concern for those he encountered?

Their eternal salvation.

Could Jesus have healed every person in Palestine - and even in the world?

Yes.

Why didn't Jesus heal everyone?

His mission was not to remove all suffering from the world. He did want to give us the grace to accept suffering as a means of uniting ourselves with his Redemption.

What was the eventual earthly fate of every person Jesus healed, even Lazarus?

They all eventually died.

What was the meaning of Jesus's healings synod their physical benefits to the person healed?

They announced that the Kingdom of God had come with healing and victory over sin and death through Christ's own Death on the Cross.

Effects of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick: It Always

Turns the hearts of the faithful to him in love to bring healing to the soul; It helps the person endure suffering.

Effects of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick: It Sometimes

Heals the physical infirmity of the sick person

How did Jesus associate his apostles with his healing ministry before the Resurrection?

Jesus instructed his Apostles to heal the sick, and they "anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them" (Mk 6:12)

What did Christ promise the Apostles after the Resurrection?

He promised if they laid their hands on thr sick, the sick would recover

Where do we learn of how the early Church administered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?

In the Epistle of St. James.

How was the Sacrament administered?

The elders (presbyters in Greek, priests in English) were to pray over the sick person and to anoint him or her with oil in the name of the Lord.

What are the effects of the Sacrament, according to St. James?

The person will be physically healed and his sins will be forgiven.

What is the matter of the Anointing of the Sick?

Oil of the Sick, which is olive oil blessed by the bishop during the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday.

What is the matter, form, and minister of the Anointing of the Sick?

The matter of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is the Oil of the Sick, the form is the words the minister prays for the recipient, and the minister is a bishop or priest.

What are the effects of the Anointing of the Sick?

The Sacrament prepares the recipient for death and eternal life and may restore health if it is good for the person's soul.

Who should receive the Anointing of the Sick?

The Sacrament should be administered to anyone approaching or in danger of death, including one facing a serious operation or who has sustained a serious injury, and it may be repeated.

What are the essential elements in the celebration of the Anointing of the Sick?

Laying on of hands by the priest, prayer, and an anointing with holy oil.

Why is it good to couple the Anointing of the Sick with the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist?

The recipient will receive graces.

How was oil used in the ancient world as a medicine?

Olive oil was used on wounds and on tired and aching muscles.

What can be used as the matter of Anointing of the Sick in case of necessity?

Any vegetable oil blessed by a priest.

What is the form of the Anointing of the Sick?

The form is the prayer of the priest for ease of suffering, strength, freedom from sin, salvation, resurrection from the dead, and restoration of health to return to God's service.

Why is it good to have members of the faithful, especially the family, present at the Anointing of the Sick?

Because every Sacrament is ecclesial and communal in nature.

Who is the minister of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?

Only a bishop or priest.

What is the meaning of human suffering?

Human suffering is a mystery connected with sin. Christ suffered to redeem us and has linked all suffering with redemption. One can find joy in suffering.

What should our attitude be toward those who suffer?

Christians are called to serve those in need, alleviating their suffering. Those who serve the suffering serve Christ.

When should the Anointing of the Sick be administered?

When a baptized Catholic is acing death. Also, when one reaches old age or is noticeably weakened in old age, or at any age when one is facing a serious operation, or when one has a serious illness or injury.

Can this Sacrament be repeated?

Yes, if one recovers and then falls ill again, or if the initial condition grows worse. Note well- the anointing of the sick cannot be received by someone in the state of mortal sin.

Under what circumstance does the Anointing of the Sick forgive mortal sins?

When the person is unable to make a Confession, but has or had the proper dispositions to make a good Confession. (E.g - President Kennedy November 11/22/1963)

Should a dead person be given the Anointing of the Sick?

No. The priest should pray for the soul of that person.

How did Christ accomplish our redemption?

Through his suffering.

What did Christ do to suffering?

He made all suffering potentially redemptive.

How did suffering and death enter the world, according to Genesis?

The entered as a result of Original Sin.

What is the connection between suffering and sin?

We know by experience that sin causes suffering but we should not assume that any particular suffering is the result of anyone's particular sin.

What does the Book of Job teach about suffering?

Even the most upright and just person can experience suffering in his or her life.

What are the three Sacraments that initiate life and the three Sacraments that bring life to a close?

Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist initiate Christian life. Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, and the Eucharist prepare us for the next life.

What gospel passage is associated with anointing of the sick?

Matthew 9:1-18

Why did Christ heal the paralytic's body?

As a visible sign that he could heal the man's soul by forgiving his sins. Another child was also dead.

Should the family leave the room while their father is receiving the Sacrament of Anointing?

They are actually encouraged to stay

If their father dies, does that mean that the Sacrament of the Anointing was ineffective?

No

What graces, seen and unseen, may result from the celebration of the Sacrament?

The healing sacramental grace of Christ (allows the recipient's sins to be forgiven and prepares them to pass into eternal life); it gives them the graces needed to face illness and death, preparing them for eternal life in Heaven and healing the body if it is good for the salvation of the soul