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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
A Paralyzed Vietnam Vet	Jay M.	Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Question: Dear Bro. Ignatius, I am writing on behalf of a friend who does not own or use a computer. Here it is: Her husband has been paralyzed for the past 11yrs and she has been taking care of him at home. He received communion up until 5 yrs ago, when he could no longer swallow. He is totally paralyzed and can do nothing on his own. He did receive the annointing of the sick about 8yrs ago. He cannot eat or speak, he has a trachea and a feeding tube. Is he still in a state of 'Grace' Respectfully submitted for her friend in Chirst. Jay
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Jay: I cannot answer whether or not someone is in a State of Grace. It is possible for him to sin in mind, if not in body. For example, Jesus said that to even look upon a woman in lust is committing adultery in the heart. A priest should be visiting this man on a regular basis. Even though he cannot talk he can probably answer a priest by movement of his eyes, for example, in order for the priest to give him the Sacrament of Confession once-in-awhile. There is no sin in not receiving the Eucharist when he is not able to swallow the host, or even have a drop of the Blood put on his tongue. That last part may be a possibility for him -- to receive just a tiny drop of the Blood on the tongue -- I don't know. Someone can ask his doctors about that. I would contact priest to come visit this man on a regular basis to minister to him, pray with him, to pray over him, and give him solace and God's love as the alter Christi. God is merciful and loves this man. We will be in prayer for this fellow veteran. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary (a Vietnam Vet) Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

A Paralyzed Vietnam Vet

Jay M.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Question:

Dear Bro. Ignatius,

I am writing on behalf of a friend who does not own or use a computer. Here it is:

Her husband has been paralyzed for the past 11yrs and she has been taking care of him at home. He received communion up until 5 yrs ago, when he could no longer swallow. He is totally paralyzed and can do nothing on his own. He did receive the annointing of the sick about 8yrs ago. He cannot eat or speak, he has a trachea and a feeding tube.

Is he still in a state of 'Grace'

Respectfully submitted for her friend in Chirst.

Jay

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Jay:

I cannot answer whether or not someone is in a State of Grace. It is possible for him to sin in mind, if not in body. For example, Jesus said that to even look upon a woman in lust is committing adultery in the heart.

A priest should be visiting this man on a regular basis. Even though he cannot talk he can probably answer a priest by movement of his eyes, for example, in order for the priest to give him the Sacrament of Confession once-in-awhile.

There is no sin in not receiving the Eucharist when he is not able to swallow the host, or even have a drop of the Blood put on his tongue. That last part may be a possibility for him -- to receive just a tiny drop of the Blood on the tongue -- I don't know. Someone can ask his doctors about that.

I would contact priest to come visit this man on a regular basis to minister to him, pray with him, to pray over him, and give him solace and God's love as the alter Christi.

God is merciful and loves this man.

We will be in prayer for this fellow veteran.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary
(a Vietnam Vet)

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum