Chapter Seven

Anointing of the Sick

The Mystery of Suffering
• Jesus did not come to explain or take
away suffering—he came to be with
people as they suffered

• We should try to eliminate suffering only

if we are not eliminating
love
The Mystery of Suffering
• Seek blessing of good health so we can
fulfill our role in society and in the
Church

• Accept suffering—move
through it with love and
trust in God
The Mystery of Suffering

• When we suffer God suffers with us

• God is present in all of our suffering—

God’s love intensifies
Jesus Healed Body and Soul
• Jesus’ great compassion and identification with
the sick

• Jesus’ preferential love for the suffering

– Suffering participate in God’s kingdom in unique way
– Those healed by Jesus
understood what it meant to
be granted new life
Jesus Healed Body and Soul
Jesus instructed
disciples to heal As Church, we are
the sick responsible to heal
the sick

Jesus healed
bodies,
relationships, and
souls
Jesus Healed Body and Soul

Sometimes it is the
spirit
that needs the most
healing
Jesus Healed Body and Soul
Jesus gave meaning to suffering
1.) Jesus’ suffering was redemptive
– It brought humanity back into the fullness of
relationship with God
2.) Jesus’ suffering redeemed humanity

Sin brought illness, suffering, and

death into the world- not part of
God’s plan
Jesus Healed Body and Soul
• Illness or suffering gives us opportunity to
surrender completely to God

• Suffering frees us to embrace love with the

wholeheartedness of Jesus

• Suffering allows us to prioritize

what is important from what is
insignificant
Jesus Healed Body and Soul
• God invites us to share in the work of
redemption

• God gives us ability to give to others

• Suffering is opportunity to
love as Jesus loved
Jesus Healed Body and Soul
• Loving through suffering unites us with Christ
– Our suffering becomes part of Christ’s suffering

• Beautiful gift to become Christ-like through

suffering
– Great power to make a
difference
Sacrament of Anointing
• We need Holy Spirit to endure suffering

• Church gives the sacrament of Anointing to

help those suffering use their illness in service
to Christ
Sacrament of Anointing
Rite of Anointing:
Olive oil blessed by bishop, anointing on forehead and
hands with prayer

Sacrament for seriously ill; can be repeated if

necessary

Priest is minister of the sacrament

Sacrament takes place within

Mass, outside of Mass, or in
hospital or institution
Effects of the Sacrament
Unites sick or “Consecrated” to
elderly with participate in
passion of Christ saving work of
Jesus

Nourishment Special grace

given to pass over of Holy Spirit
into eternal life given
with God Church
intercedes to
help the sick and
the sick in turn
assist the Church
Historical Development
• Sacrament instituted by Jesus in his healing
ministry

• Earliest reference found in letter of James

• Followers of Jesus anointed

and laid hands on sick
Historical Development
• Incurable illness related to persistent sin

• Seriously ill believed to be separated from

healing love of God
Historical Development
2nd - 7th Century
12th Century
prayer of healing seen as
part of overall ministry Extreme unction: “last
of Church anointing” - insurance against
hell

Sacrament associated Council of Florence declares

with death, could only sacrament only for dying
be offered by priest
1439
Middle Ages
Historical Development
• From Council of Trent through Vatican II
sacrament associated with “last rites”

• Vatican II renames sacrament “Anointing of

the Sick”
Historical Development
- Sacrament not just for the dying, but also the
seriously ill

- Anointing seen as part of mission of

everyone in the Church

- As minister, priest is
spokesperson of the
whole Church
Historical Development
• Anointing strengthens connection between
seriously ill and the rest of the body of Christ

• Grace given in the sacrament is always a

healing grace
– Sometimes physical,
sometimes for forgiveness of
sins, sometimes spiritual