One of the most difficult realities in which people may find themselves is the endurance of misery, whether due to an emergency medical situation or amidst a chronic condition, or perhaps in their having ot carry a psychological strain or life trauma or spiritual burden that weighs so heavily upon them that their bodily health or personal wholeness is itself deteriorated.
Faced with such realities of human suffering, how might one seek solace or relief in the life of the Church as a member of the body of Christ? Besides sharing in the Eucharist or celebrating the rite of reconciliation, the sacrament of the anointing of the sick is another blessed avenue through which one might encounter the grace of the Lord in prayer, compassion and hope.
Of course, the reality of suffering connects us to one of the greatest mysteries of life and faith, and how powerless one can be in seeking to face or change such a reality, let alone to understand it or accept it. Yet to this mystery, the sacrament of anointing brings gifts of the Holy Spirit meant to supply strength anew toward enduring and accepting our part in the world’s suffering; conveys peace with the mercy of forgiveness; and perhaps even brings physical healing if it is the Lord’s desire for us in that reality.
Healing, of course, was a primary ministry of Jesus as he walked the land of Galilee, and he commissioned his disciples for this ministry, as well. Still today, the Church seeks to be the hand of the Lord reaching out in healing and comfort that all might know life to the full even in the midst of human struggle or diminishment.
It was the renewal and liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council which drew away the heaviness that only
“in extremis” could this sacrament be received and which instead directed its graces to be available to anyone with impaired health or perceived need for the healing touch of the Lord desired for all his beloved. The Church prays, therefore, for actual physical healing, but even when this gift is not given, we pray yet that our sisters or brothers may receive the heavenly salve of the sacrament to bring them the presence of God in their plea.
In the sacrament, the ritual begins with the text of James 5:14-15 in which it is directed, “Are there any who are sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them.” In such a way, the community of the Church is brought to bear as believers stand together in faith attending the illness and praying for healing in that moment, as it does in all the eventualities of life and death among its members. Certainly family and friends, if not also greater parish participation, most often surround the suffering one as the sacrament is celebrated, a reality even further concretized as the Oil of the Infirm originates as one of the oils blessed by the bishop as a part of the local church’s outreach to the community from its own communion.
The sacramental ritual itself can be very brief in a medical emergency or in longer form if there is time and opportunity. The full rite includes a reflection in penitence, hearing the Word of Scripture, the laying on of hands and the anointing of the sick person’s forehead and palms, all carried in the power of prayer and blessing, sometimes within Mass or another healing celebration.
But however we meet the sacrament, whether it be an Emergency Room or in the calm of an elder going peacefully home to the Lord, we are reminded that in baptism one was sealed with new life in Christ, and in anointing of the sick (with the reception of the Communion of Viaticum, if possible) one is made ready for the final journey home to God as shall occur in mystery and grace with hope for life eternal.
Crosier Father Kermit Holl is a member of the Crosier Fathers and Brothers in Phoenix, Arizona.
Fr. Kermit compassionately shares the spiritual and emotional comfort that the anointing offers. Yes, physical healing can occur but is not to be expected. Thanks for this meaningful article!