The reflection this week is on the anointing of the sick – a sacrament not often celebrated like the other sacraments. Some time ago, a priest shared this experience with us. A parishioner of his had sent for him, before going in for a surgery, to come and pray for him. The priest decided to give the man the anointing of the sick as well. On getting to the hospital and informing the man – the man declined and insisted on a simple prayer before going in for the surgery. Like the people of old, his belief was that the sacrament is given to those who are about to die. Some people have also expressed a similar understanding – so I’m inviting all to have another look at the understanding of this sacrament.
The ministry of the Word and the Sacraments in the Church are vital in the Pastoral care of the faithful. The use of the Oil and the appropriate prayer constitute the form and matter of the Sacrament of the Sick. This sacrament is otherwise called Extreme Unction – where the oil of soothing is put to use. The import is to free the sick from discomfort and pain – to grant them healing and wholeness in body, mind, and soul (James 5.14-15). This Oil is normally blessed by the Bishop at the Chrism Mass on the Wednesday of Holy Week and the priest is the minister of this sacrament. Hence, the anointing of the sick can come up during the Mass, in homes and hospitals. The sacrament of the sick is administered to the aged, those in danger of death by sick-ness or accident, and those going in for a surgery – this sacrament can be repeated. And the Church encourages that the families and friends should be present when the sacrament is being administered.
The pastoral care of the Church for her members is from the womb to the tomb. For instance, there are special blessings for pregnant mothers and mothers who have just given birth. In a same way, is the pastoral care for the aged and the dying. Suffering, illness and pain are realities of life, as well as our sharing in the passion of Christ (Col.1.24). One may draw a link between the Oil of the sick and the Balm of Gilead in the Old Testament. The Balm of Gilead was considered rare, valuable, and medicinal (Jer.46.11). The people of old saw it as the sinners’ cure and a means to salvation (Jer.8.22) – “the effects of the sacrament of the Anointing of the sick are to comfort and strengthen the soul, to remit sin, and even to restore health, when God sees it to be expedient” (A Catechism of Christian Doctrine – no.303).
The celebration of the Sacrament of Anointing is to be accompanied by the sacrament of Penance (if the sick person can consciously do so) and the reception of Holy Communion. There is the laying on of hands by the priest on the sick person before the use of the oil on the forehead and the hands. In this way, the sick person is visited with the love, compassion, and healing of Christ. “The Church does not want us to wait for the final moments before receiving it. We should receive this sacrament when we first start to show signs of being in danger of death through sickness or old age” (Vat. II – Sacrosactum Concilium,73).
Fr. John Olaniran
Please pray for the soul of Mary Olaniran, the mother of Fr John, who died on Tuesday 10 October.
Please keep her, Fr John and all his family in your prayers.