January 8, 2010
The Bishop's Forum
The Sacrament of the Sick: A family matter
by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger
Throughout the last several months my siblings and members of our extended family have met with life-threatening issues. Along with the incredible familial support has been the Sacrament of the Sick.
In my up-growing years and in my early years of the priesthood in the 1960s, this sacrament was know as the “The Sacrament of Extreme Unction,” the latter word meaning anointing. In other words it was administered when death was perceived to be imminent. It was always considered to be the “Last Rites.”
Happily, following the Second Vatican Council there was a re-naming of this wonderful sacrament: The Sacrament of the Sick. It is administered freely to those who are suffering a chronic malady or are about to undergo a serious procedure in the hospital. In other words, its administration does not indicate an imminent danger of death.
In those years it was imperative that the priest remind the patient that this was the Sacrament of the Sick. It was necessary to do so in order to remove the expression that clouded the face of the patient fearing that the presence of the priest was an “announcement of imminent death.”
As with all the sacraments, elements of human nature are employed to give us a better comprehension of the intent of the sacrament.
The Holy Oil of the Sick, along with Sacred Chrism and the Oil of Catechumens, is blessed each year in our diocese at the “Chrism Mass” on Tuesday of Holy Week. The natural element is olive oil; the blessing designates its meaning.
Consider this. How often do we use ointments, salves, oils and lotions for healing. A most common one is Chapstick. We take them for granted. How wonderful it is that the Church gives us the Sacrament of the Sick. Its anointing is designated to heal both body and spirit.
Needless to say, it is both comforting to the patient and to the family when the Sacrament of the Sick is administered to a loved one.
In addition, the Sacrament of the Sick may be received often, not only on one’s deathbed.
Sickness is experienced by all families in varying degrees, and of course, death comes to all families. This marvelous sacrament is a balm to body and soul. It brings with it the grace not only required for healing but also the courage to face the reality of death if that be God’s will. It is a sacrament of the living.
In the event that there is an apparent death due to an accident or heart attack, the priest or bishop administers the sacrament and anoints the person conditionally should there be life even though all apparent signs of life have faded.
What a gift is the Sacrament of the Sick for all families!
Next: Holy Viaticum — A companion sacrament to the Anointing of the Sick