Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the Presentation of the Lord.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are seven (7) “In Brief” articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church which can help us to appreciate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. The following is a reflection on CCC 1531.
When considering the sacraments, it is good to know their “matter and form.” The matter of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is the Oil of the Sick. The form of the sacrament is another thing. The actual form of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is: “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in His love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit” (while anointing the forehead) and “May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up” (while anointing the hands).
A further innovation promulgated by Paul VI in his Apostolic Constitution Sacram Unctione Infirmorum (30 November, 1972) limited the number a of anointings to three in the Latin Rite. The sick person is anointed on the forehead and on the palm of each hand. When priests receive the Anointing of the Sick, the back of the hand (not the palms) is anointed, their palms already having been anointed and consecrated with Sacred Chrism in Ordination. The Eastern Rites have maintained additional anointing (e.g. feet, ears, eyes, ears…). The idea being the application of redemptive and healing graces as needed wherever sin may have been committed.
There are likewise further prayers and gestures which are also used in this sacrament. One gesture is the silent imposition of hands upon the head of the sick person preceding the anointing, which allows the Divine Physician to do His work from the inside out. There are still further prayers which accompany the rite. These include the Lord’s Prayer and a concluding prayer. The concluding prayer in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick varies according to the circumstances (general illness, before surgery, in advanced age, grave illness…). These prayers all ask of God special graces, physically and spiritually according to God’s good pleasure, to be given in the sacrament.
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick unites the sufferings of our lives to the sufferings of Christ and allow us a further participation in the redemption of the world, ourselves included. Saint Paul wrote, inspired by the Holy Spirit, about filling up what was lacking in the sufferings of Christ in our own flesh (cf. Colossians 1:24). This is not to say that Good Friday was not enough to save us all. But, as the Lord filled the net of Apostles after His resurrection He also asked them to “bring some of the fish you have just caught” so too the Lord seeks our participation and cooperation even through illness, suffering and death (cf. John 21:10). He cares for us and longs to raise us up, not only from our sins and sufferings in this life but even to eternity.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr