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re: anointing of the sick in mass setting: Jane Monday, May 18, 2009

Question:

Hello Bro. Ignatius Mary


The answer to the question regarding anointing of the sick, was partially incorrect. As noted in The Text of the Rite (97)states that the sacrament of anointing can be administered to an individual whether at home, in a hospital or institution, or in church; and several sick persons may be anointed within the rite, especially if the celebration takes place in a church or hospital; the celebration may also take place within Mass. So it is not illegal to do so within the mass.

Also Canon 1004 of the Code of Canon Law indicates indicates succinctly who may receive the sacrament: "The anointing of the sick can be administered to any member of the faithful who, having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger by reason of illness or old age." A new illness or a renewal or worsening of the first illness enables a person to receive the sacrament a further time. And "in the case of a person who is chronically ill, or elderly and in a weakened condition, the sacrament of anointing may be repeated when in the pastoral judgment of the priest the condition of the sick person warrants the repetition of the sacrament" (Rite of Anointing of the Sick, 102).

So anyone that is chronically ill may receive the sacrament.

It should be added that although the sacrament does remit sin, those receiving it should avail themselves of confession if able to do so before hand, but as soon as possible after if they have mortal sins.

thank you

Jane



Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Jane:

You are correct. I made a presumption I should not have made. I was thinking of the Charismatic "so-called" healing masses where even laymen anoint people who come forward and all are invited to come up.

The Sacrament of Anointing itself may be done within the Liturgy of the Mass. The Sacrament of Anointing, however, may only be performed by a priest, and the priest must care care to ensure that those who receive it are proper candidates for the Sacrament. A general invitation is not permitted, and people are are sick, but not seriously, are not qualified.

According to the Church's law (cc. 988, 1004.1) and in the rite for the pastoral care of the sick (8), the sacrament may be administered only to those who are seriously ill, specifically those who begin to be in danger due to sickness or old age. This includes those about to undergo surgery when a serious illness is the reason for the surgery (PCS #10)

As for performing the Sacrament to a mass of people the PCS states:

99.    The priest should ensure that the abuse of delaying the reception of the sacrament does not occur, and that the celebration takes place while the sick person is capable of active participation, However, the intent of the conciliar reform (Sacrosanctum Concilium 73) that those need­ing the sacrament should seek it at the beginning of a serious illness should not be used to anoint those who are not proper subjects for the sacrament. The sacrament of the anointing of the sick should be cele­brated only when a Christian‘s health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age.

100.  The priest should inquire about the physical and spiritual condition of the sick person and he should become acquainted with the family, friends, and others who may_be present. The sick person and others may help to plan the celebration, for example, by choosing the readings and prayers. It will be especially helpful if the sick person, the priest, and the family become accustomed to praying together.

Specifically as to a mass celebration of the Sacrament the PCS continues:

108. The rites for anointing outside Mass and anointing within Mass may be used to anoint a number of people within the same celebration. These rites are appropriate for large gatherings of a diocese, parish, or society for the sick, or for pilgrimages. These celebrations should take place in a church, chapel, or other appropriate place where the sick and others can easily gather. On occasion, they may also take place in hospitals and other institutions.
       
If the Ordinary decides that many people are to be anointed in the same celebration, either he or his delegate should ensure that all discipli­nary norms concerning anointing are observed, as well as the norms for pastoral preparation and liturgical celebration. In particular, the practice of indiscriminately anointing numbers of people on these occasions simply because they are ill or have reached an advanced age is to be avoided. Only those whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age are proper subjects for the sacrament. The Ordinary also designates the priests who will take part in the celebration of the sacrament.

Of all the anointings I have witnessed during a Mass, or afterward. exactly NONE of followed the law concerning the Sacrament. And, furthermore, few if any were the Sacrament of Anointing in the first place as laity were involved in "anointing" people. All instances there was a general invitation for anyone to come forward to be anointed and there was no preparation at all. The priest never talked to anyone in advance and there was no determination of who was and who was not qualified to receive the Sacrament.

There is a reason for that -- this is not the Sacrament but a healing blessing and thus may not be done during the Liturgy of the Mass.

If, the priest in these situations intended it to be the Sacrament, then he performed it illicitly as these rubrics descibed above break the very specific rules for the proper celebration of the Sacrament with several people.

That is what I had in mind when I responded earlier and skiped over the fact that the genuine and properly performed Sacrament of Anointing may indeed be part of the Liturgy of the Mass.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

 


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