St. John Vianney Catholic Church
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
A Journey of Faith
RCIA
Week 23
The
Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
CCC 1527:
“The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick has as its purpose the conferral of a
special grace on the Christian experiencing the difficulties inherent in the
condition of grave illness or old age.
CCC 1528-1529:
“The proper time for receiving this holy anointing has certainly arrived when
the believer begins to be in danger of death because of illness or old
age. Each time a Christian falls
seriously ill, he may receive the Anointing of the Sick, and also when, after
he has received it, the illness worsens.
CCC 1530:
“Only priests (presbyters and bishops) can give the sacrament of the Anointing
of the Sick, using oil blessed by the bishop, or if necessary by the
celebrating presbyter himself.”
CCC 1531:
“The celebration of the Anointing of the Sick consists essentially in the
anointing of the forehead and hands of the sick person (in the Roman Rite) or
of other parts of the body (in the Eastern rite), the anointing being
accompanied by the liturgical prayer of the celebrant asking for the special
grace of this sacrament.
CCC 1532:
“The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its
effects: the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own
good and that of the whole Church; the strengthening, peace, and courage to
endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age; the
forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the
sacrament of Penance; the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the
salvation of his soul;
the
preparation for passing over to eternal life.”
MEDITATION:
Why does our culture have such an aversion to illness or suffering? How can I better use the suffering in my life
for the salvation of others?
“If when we are ill, our recovery will contribute to the glory of
God and the good of our soul, He, who healed so many when He was on earth, will
certainly heal us. If, on the contrary,
the illness is more advantageous to us, He will instead give us the strength to
suffer.” -- St. John Vianney