While on the subject of the rituals proper to the celebration of Sacraments, I had a conversation this week with a group of adults who are currently preparing for baptism and-or for reception into full communion with the Church. We were focused on the Sacrament of Confirmation (room for another post here), and the subject of the oils for anointing at various moments in the life of the Church came up.
One of the people asked about the Anointing of the Sick. We celebrate this Sacrament in this parish once a month, on the first Friday, but apparently this person wasn't convinced that the anointing that happens after the noon Mass on those First Fridays is actually the Sacrament of the Sick. 'Yes', I was quick to explain, 'we are celebrating the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick' ... but then again maybe we need to provide some more catechesis because if the person asking the questions thought that we were doing something otherwise, I wonder how many others are thinking the same thing.
Back to my copy of The Rites of the Catholic Church (which happens to be an American publication, but I like the explanatory notes) for more clarification. The notes accompanying the chapters on the Anointing of the Sick explain: The sacrament of anointing is the proper sacrament for those Christians whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age. It may be celebrated in the home, in a hospital or institution, or in church ... (there are) three rites for use in these varying circumstances: anointing outside Mass (which is the ritual most often used when we anoint following the completion of the daily liturgy on the First Fridays), anointing within Mass and anointing in a hospital or institution.
Regardless of the location where the anointing of the sick takes place, there are always two complementary aspects to this sacrament: through the sacrament of anointing, the Church supports the sick in their struggle against illness and continues Christ's messianic work of healing ... When the priest anoints the sick, he is anointing in the name and with the power of Christ himself (Mk 6:13). On behalf of the whole community, he is ministering to those members who are suffering. This message of hope and comfort is also needed by those who care for the sick, especially those who are closely bound in love to them.
ANOINTING OUTSIDE MASS
GREETING
The priest greets the sick person and the others present using a customary liturgical greeting such as The peace of the Lord be with you always. If communion is to be distributed during the celebration of the rite, the priest places the blessed sacrament on the table, and all join in a moment of adoration.
SPRINKLING WITH HOLY WATER
If it seems desirable, the priest may sprinkle the sick person(s) and those present with holy water while reciting an antiphon such as Like a stream in parched land, may the grace of the Lord refresh our lives.
INSTRUCTION
Then he addresses those present in these or similar words: My dear friends, we are gathered here in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who is present among us. As the gospels relate, the sick came to him for healing; moreover, he loves us so much that he died for our sake. Through the apostle James, he has commanded us, 'Are there any who are sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick persons, and the Lord will raise them up; and if they have committed any sins, their sins will be forgiven them'.
Let us therefore commend our sick brother(s)/sister(s) to the grace and power of Christ, that He may save him/her/them and raise him/her/them up.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation can be celebrated individually with the person(s) who is/are to be anointed, else a penitential rite can be used. Then the priest lays his hands on the head(s) of those who are to be anointed in silence, and prays for God's healing in their lives.
PRAYER OVER THE OIL
The priest says a prayer of thanksgiving over the blessed oil, or he may bless the oil himself if necessary using a suitable blessing. There are a number of suggested formularies outlined in the ritual.
ANOINTING
The priest anoints the sick person with the blessed oil. First he anoints the forehead, saying Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in His love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. The persons gathered respond Amen. Then the priest anoints the palms of the hands, saying May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up, and the people respond Amen. These words, known as the sacramental Form, are said only once, for the anointing of the forehead and hands, and is not repeated for each.
Depending on the culture and tradition of the place, as well as the condition of the sick person(s), the priest may also anoint additional parts of the body (ie the area of pain or injury). He does not repeat the sacramental Form.
I frequently have the assistance of an elderly priest for the celebration of the anointing of the sick here in the parish, and he has explained that the practice for the celebration of this sacrament when a priest is to be anointed involves the anointing of his forehead and the backs of his hands, not the palms, since the palms of a priest have been anointed with Chrism on the day of his Ordination.
PRAYER AFTER ANOINTING
The priest then recites one of a number of suggested prayers, asking God to grant comfort to the sick, courage to the afflicted and hope in time of need.
RITE OF COMMUNION
If the sick person does not receive communion, the rite concludes with a blessing. If Communion is to be distributed to the sick person, the gathered persons recite the Lord's Prayer together, then the priest shows the consecrated host to those present as he says This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Come to me, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you, or some similar invocation.
After communion has been received by the sick person, there is a moment of silent prayer, and the priest concludes with a prayer of thanksgiving before imparting a blessing on those who are gathered.
Admittedly, we do not observe all parts of this ritual as they are described below because the Sacrament of the Sick is offered following the completion of the daily Mass, which itself takes place during the mid-day lunch break. For the sake of pastoral concern, the actual anointing of the sick takes place immediately following the completion of the Mass, allowing the 'well' to continue in their daily routine, while allowing time for those who are in need of this sacrament to approach and ask to be anointed.
If the Sacrament of Anointing is administered in a hospital or institution, there is a GREETING, an INSTRUCTION, a provision for the celebration of the sacrament of Reconciliation, the LAYING ON OF HANDS, the ANOINTING of the sick person, the LORD'S PRAYER and a CONCLUDING BLESSING.
According to the established local tradition, the Sacrament of Anointing can also take place within the celebration of the Mass. In this case, there can be specific prayers used throughout the celebration, and as a rule, the Liturgy of Anointing takes place after the homily, including the LAYING ON OF HANDS, a PRAYER OVER THE OIL, the ANOINTING and a PRAYER AFTER ANOINTING. The Liturgy of the Eucharist continues afterward according to the established customs.
The Church also provides a Liturgy of Viaticum, which is similar in its structure to that of the Anointing of the Sick. However, a full exposé of this liturgy merits its own post.
One of the people asked about the Anointing of the Sick. We celebrate this Sacrament in this parish once a month, on the first Friday, but apparently this person wasn't convinced that the anointing that happens after the noon Mass on those First Fridays is actually the Sacrament of the Sick. 'Yes', I was quick to explain, 'we are celebrating the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick' ... but then again maybe we need to provide some more catechesis because if the person asking the questions thought that we were doing something otherwise, I wonder how many others are thinking the same thing.
Regardless of the location where the anointing of the sick takes place, there are always two complementary aspects to this sacrament: through the sacrament of anointing, the Church supports the sick in their struggle against illness and continues Christ's messianic work of healing ... When the priest anoints the sick, he is anointing in the name and with the power of Christ himself (Mk 6:13). On behalf of the whole community, he is ministering to those members who are suffering. This message of hope and comfort is also needed by those who care for the sick, especially those who are closely bound in love to them.
ANOINTING OUTSIDE MASS
GREETING
The priest greets the sick person and the others present using a customary liturgical greeting such as The peace of the Lord be with you always. If communion is to be distributed during the celebration of the rite, the priest places the blessed sacrament on the table, and all join in a moment of adoration.
SPRINKLING WITH HOLY WATER
If it seems desirable, the priest may sprinkle the sick person(s) and those present with holy water while reciting an antiphon such as Like a stream in parched land, may the grace of the Lord refresh our lives.
INSTRUCTION
Then he addresses those present in these or similar words: My dear friends, we are gathered here in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who is present among us. As the gospels relate, the sick came to him for healing; moreover, he loves us so much that he died for our sake. Through the apostle James, he has commanded us, 'Are there any who are sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick persons, and the Lord will raise them up; and if they have committed any sins, their sins will be forgiven them'.
Let us therefore commend our sick brother(s)/sister(s) to the grace and power of Christ, that He may save him/her/them and raise him/her/them up.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation can be celebrated individually with the person(s) who is/are to be anointed, else a penitential rite can be used. Then the priest lays his hands on the head(s) of those who are to be anointed in silence, and prays for God's healing in their lives.
PRAYER OVER THE OIL
The priest says a prayer of thanksgiving over the blessed oil, or he may bless the oil himself if necessary using a suitable blessing. There are a number of suggested formularies outlined in the ritual.
ANOINTING
The priest anoints the sick person with the blessed oil. First he anoints the forehead, saying Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in His love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. The persons gathered respond Amen. Then the priest anoints the palms of the hands, saying May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up, and the people respond Amen. These words, known as the sacramental Form, are said only once, for the anointing of the forehead and hands, and is not repeated for each.
Depending on the culture and tradition of the place, as well as the condition of the sick person(s), the priest may also anoint additional parts of the body (ie the area of pain or injury). He does not repeat the sacramental Form.
I frequently have the assistance of an elderly priest for the celebration of the anointing of the sick here in the parish, and he has explained that the practice for the celebration of this sacrament when a priest is to be anointed involves the anointing of his forehead and the backs of his hands, not the palms, since the palms of a priest have been anointed with Chrism on the day of his Ordination.
PRAYER AFTER ANOINTING
The priest then recites one of a number of suggested prayers, asking God to grant comfort to the sick, courage to the afflicted and hope in time of need.
RITE OF COMMUNION
If the sick person does not receive communion, the rite concludes with a blessing. If Communion is to be distributed to the sick person, the gathered persons recite the Lord's Prayer together, then the priest shows the consecrated host to those present as he says This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Come to me, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you, or some similar invocation.
After communion has been received by the sick person, there is a moment of silent prayer, and the priest concludes with a prayer of thanksgiving before imparting a blessing on those who are gathered.
Admittedly, we do not observe all parts of this ritual as they are described below because the Sacrament of the Sick is offered following the completion of the daily Mass, which itself takes place during the mid-day lunch break. For the sake of pastoral concern, the actual anointing of the sick takes place immediately following the completion of the Mass, allowing the 'well' to continue in their daily routine, while allowing time for those who are in need of this sacrament to approach and ask to be anointed.
If the Sacrament of Anointing is administered in a hospital or institution, there is a GREETING, an INSTRUCTION, a provision for the celebration of the sacrament of Reconciliation, the LAYING ON OF HANDS, the ANOINTING of the sick person, the LORD'S PRAYER and a CONCLUDING BLESSING.
According to the established local tradition, the Sacrament of Anointing can also take place within the celebration of the Mass. In this case, there can be specific prayers used throughout the celebration, and as a rule, the Liturgy of Anointing takes place after the homily, including the LAYING ON OF HANDS, a PRAYER OVER THE OIL, the ANOINTING and a PRAYER AFTER ANOINTING. The Liturgy of the Eucharist continues afterward according to the established customs.
The Church also provides a Liturgy of Viaticum, which is similar in its structure to that of the Anointing of the Sick. However, a full exposé of this liturgy merits its own post.
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