The Sacrament
"Extreme Unction," also called "Last Rites" or "Annointing of the
Sick," is the annointing given to those who are gravely bodily
ill, especially those in danger of death from bodily illness or from
violence already done to the body (i.e., a soldier about to go into
battle is not a candidate for the Sacrament; one who has been shot and
lies gravely wounded or, especially, dying, is).
The conditions for receiving Unction are that one must:
- have reached the
age of reason (usually considered to be around the age of 7)
- be in a state of
grace (Confession is part of the Rite, so call a priest when he's
needed, no matter whether or not the person in need has been to
Confession when necessary)
- be sorrowful for
past sins, trust in God and resign himself to His will, whether His
positive will is to heal the sick person or His passive will is the
person's death
The effects of
the Sacrament are the strengthening and comfort of the soul of the
annointed one, the remission of sins and some of their temporal
punishments, and the possible restoration of bodily health.
The Rite includes the Sacraments of Penance
when needed and if the person is conscious, the Sacrament of the
Eucharist if the person is conscious,
followed by the Sacrament of Unction itself, so it's a matter of
receiving three Sacraments at once. It may be received
conditionally up to three or four hours after apparent death (we can't
presume to know the moment the soul leaves the body and can only know
with moral certainty that death has occured after corruption has
begun). If the sick one is unconscious, conditional absolution and
Unction are offered, without the Eucharist (known at this time as
"Viaticum," meaning "Food for the Journey").
The matter of the Sacrament is the Oil of the
Sick ("Oleum Infirmorum"), which is olive oil blessed by the Bishop
on Maundy Thursday (the Thursday of
Holy Week -- the week before
Easter).
The form of the Sacrament are the words:
Through this
Holy Unction or oil, and through the great goodness of His mercy, may
God pardon thee whatever sins thou hast committed by evil use of sight
(sight, hearing, smell, taste and speech, touch, ability to walk).
Latin:
Per istam sanctan unctionem et suam piissimam misericordiam, indulgeat
tibi Dominus quidquid per (visum, audtiotum, odor�tum, gustum et
locuti�nem, tactum, gressum deliquisti.)
If death is so
imminent that there is no time for the full Rite, the Sacrament may be
given with a single annointing on the forehead and the words:
Through this
holy unction may the Lord pardon thee whatever sins or faults thou hast
committed.
Do not wait
until the last minute to call a priest for this sacrament! Call your
priest at diagnosis, not
seconds before the last breath! Don't let discomfort about or fear of
death -- or discomfort or fear of talking about death with the sick
person -- prevent you from calling the priest. Catholics should have
spent a lifetime acknowledging and preparing
for death. It needs to be
faced head-on, chin-up, and with a prepared soul.
What To Do
The preparations
for Extreme Unction are almost precisely like those for receiving a
sick call from a priest, so grab your sick
call set. If possible, add two extra
items: bread or cotton, and a slice of lemon or salt.
First,
prepare the house: Set up a table near the bed in a place where
the sick person can see it easily, such as at the foot of the bed or at
the side halfway down the length of the bed. Cover it with a white
cloth, and on it place the Crucifix and
two lit blessed candles, one on each side of
the Crucifix. Near them, place a dish of regular water, a bottle of holy water, a clean linen cloth for the priest's
fingers, and a piece of palm the
priest can use to spinkle the holy water (if you don't have palm, you
can use another type of plant, such as box). The following aren't
strictly necessary, but the priest may find them useful: cotton or
slices of bread, some lemon slices or a a dish of salt. Also include,
if you can, a small bell
(to summon family after the sick one's Confession, if necessary). Lay a
linen cloth across the breast of the sick person. If you don't have any
of the items at all, everything will be okay; these are just the normal
way of doing things and are not totally imperative!
Greet the priest at the door: Women should cover their heads; men should uncover theirs.
Meet the priest in silence at the door, bearing a lighted blessed candle (preferably the Baptismal candle of the
sick one), and genuflect. Lead him to the sick person's room and remain
there with him until Confession is heard. When you leave the room while
Confession is being heard, close the door; you may re-enter when the
priest opens it again. At all times, the priest will be quiet and
somber; don't expect him to socialize before or afterward, as he
carries with him the Body of Christ.
The Rite
The priest
enters the sick room itself.
|
V. Pax huic
d�mui.
R. Et �mnibus habit�ntibus in ea. |
V. Peace to this
house.
R. And all who dwell therein. |
The priest lays
the corporal on the prepared table, places the Blessed Sacrament on it,
gives the Crucifix to the sick person to kiss, and sprinkles the room
with Holy Water.
|
Assp�rges me,
D�mine, hyss�po, et mund�bor; lav�bis me, et super nivem dealb�bor,
|
Cleanse me of
sin with hyssop, Lord, that I may be purified; wash me, and I shall be
whiter than snow,
|
Miser�re mei,
Deus: sec�ndum magnam misericordiam tuam. Glora Patri, et Filii, et
Spiritui Sancti.
|
Have mercy on
me, O God, according to Thy great mercy. Glory be to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
|
The Asp�rges is
repeated, and the priest continues:
|
V. Adj�torium
nostrum in n�mine D�mini
R. Qui fecit caelum et terram
V. D�mine, ex�udi orati�nem meam.
R. Et clamor meus ad te v�niat.
V. D�minus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
V. Or�mus.
Ex�udi nos, D�mine sancte, Paer omn�potens, aeterne Deus: et mittere
dign�ris sanctum Angelum tuum de caelis, qui cust�diat, f�veat,
pr�tegat, visitet atque def�ndat omnes habit�ntes in hoc habit�culo.
Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
|
V. Our help is
in the Name of the Lord.
R. Who made Heaven and Earth.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come to Thee.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit
V. Let us pray.
Hear us, holy Lord, almighty Father, eternal God: and be pleased to
send Thy holy angel from Heaven to guard, cherish, protect, visit and
defend all that dwell in this house. Through Christ our Lord.
|
R. Amen. |
R. Amen. |
The priest goes
closer to the sick person and, if necessary, hears his confession.
Afterward, the Eucharist is given as it usually is outside of
Mass, but the sick person, if possible, says the "Confiteor" and the
"Domine non sum dignus" with the priest.
|
Conf�teor
Conf�teor Deo
omnipot�nti, be�t� Mar�� semper V�rgini, be�to Micha�li Arch�ngelo,
be�to Joanni Bapt�st�, sanctis Ap�stolis Petro et Paulo, �mnibus
Sanctis, et tibi, Pater: quia pecc�vi nimis cogitati�ne, verbo et
�pere: mea culpa [strike
breast] , mea culpa [strike breast] , mea m�xima
culpa [strike
breast]. Ideo precor
be�tam Mar�am semper V�rginem, be�tum Micha�lem Arch�ngelum, be�tum
Jo�nnem Bapt�stam, sanctos Ap�stolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos,
et te, Pater, or�re pro me ad D�minum Deum nostrum. [the priest then
says the Misere�tur]
|
Conf�teor
I confess to
Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed
Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy
Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to you Father, that I
have sinned exceedingly, in thought, word and deed: through my fault [strike breast], through my fault
[strike
breast], through my most
grievous fault [strike
breast]. Therefore I
beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel,
blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the
Saints, and you Father, to pray to the Lord our God for me. [the priest
then says the Misere�tur]
|
D�mine, non
sum dignus
D�mine, non sum
dignus, ut intres sub tectum meum: sed tantum dic verbo, et san�bitur
�nima mea.
|
D�mine, non
sum dignus
Lord, I am not
worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word,
and my soul shall be healed.
|
The priest will
then offer the Eucharist as Viaticum. Viaticum means "Food for the
Journey" and is the Eucharist received just before death. The sick one
is exempt from the Eucharistic Fast at this time (i.e., if he has eaten
soon before receiving Viaticum, it is OK). When offered as Viaticum,
the Eucharist is given with the following words:
|
Accipe, frater
(soror), Vi�ticum C�rporis D�mini nostri Jesu Christi, qui te cust�diat
ab hoste maligno, et perd�cat in vitam aet�rnam. Amen.
|
Receive, brother
(sister), the Viaticum of the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ; and may He
keep you from the malignant foe, and bring you to life everlasting.
Amen.
|
Prayer follows:
|
D�mine sancte,
Pater omnipotens, aet�rne Deus, te fid�liter deprec�mur, ut accipi�nti
fratri nostro (sor�ri nostrae) sacrosanctum Corpus D�mini nostri Jesu
Christi Fillii tui, tam c�rpori quam animae prost ad rem�dium
sempit�rnum: Qui tecum vivit et regnat. Amen.
|
O holy Lord,
Father almighty and eternal God, we prayThee in faith that the holy
Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, may profit our brother (sister)
who has received it as an everlasting remedy for body and soul: Who
being God, lives and reigns. Amen.
|
V. Adj�torium
nostrum in n�mine D�mini
R. Qui fecit caelum et terram
V. D�mine, ex�udi orati�nem meam.
R. Et clamor meus ad te v�niat.
V. D�minus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
V. Or�mus. |
V. Our help is
in the Name of the Lord.
R. Who made Heaven and Earth.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come to Thee.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit
V. Let us pray. |
Intr�eat, D�mine
Jesu Christe, donum hanc sub nostrae humilit�tis ingr�ssu, aet�rna
felicitas, divina prosp�ritas, serena laetitia, c�ritas fructu�sa,
sanitas sempiterna eff�giat ex hoc loco accessus daemonum: adsint
Angeli pacis, domumque hanc d�serat omnis maligna disc�rdia. Magnifica,
D�mine, super nos nomen sanctum tuum; et b�nedic + nostrae
conversati�ni sanctifica nostrae humilit�tis ingr�ssum, qui sanctus et
qui pius es, et p�rmanes cum Patre et Spiritu Sancto in sa�cula
saecul�rum.
|
O Lord Jesus
Christ, let there enter this house with the entrance of our lowliness
eternal happiness, divine prosperity, serene gladness, fruitful
charity, everlasting health; may there fly from this place all approach
of the demons; let the angels of peace be present and all ill-feeling
and discord leave this house. Make Your Name great over us, O Lord, and
bless + our ministry: hallow the entrance of our lowliness, Thou Who
art holy, Thou who are kind, and abide with the Father and the Holy
Spirit, world without end.
|
R. Amen |
R. Amen |
Or�mus et
deprec�mur D�minum nostrum Jesum Christum, ut benedic�ndo benedicat +
hoc tabern�culum et omnes habit�ntes in eo, et det eis Angelum bonum
cust�dem, et f�ciat eos sibi servire ad consider�ndum mirabilia de lege
sua : av�rtat ab eis omnes contr�rias potestates: eripiat eos ab amni
formidine et ab omni perturbati�ne, ac sanos in hoc tabern�culo
custodire dign�tur. Qui cum Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivit et regnat
Deus in sa�cula saecul�rum.
|
Let us pray and
implore our Lord Jesus Christ that He would fill this dweeling with
blessing and all that dwell therein, and send them a good angel to be
their guardian and make them His servants to study the wonders of His
law; may He turn them from all contrary powers; may He save them from
alarm and disturbance and vouchsafe to keep them in health in this
dweeling, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns for
ever and ever. |
Or�mus. Ex�udi
nos, D�mine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aet�rne Deus: et mittere dign�ris
sanctum Angelum tuum de caelis, qui cust�diat, f�veat, pr�tegat,
visitet atque def�ndat omnes habit�ntes in hoc habit�culo. Per Christum
D�minum nostrum. Amen.
|
Let us pray.
Hear us, holy Lord, almighty Father, eternal God: and be pleased to
send Thy holy angel from Heaven to guard, cherish, protect, visit, and
defend all them that dwell in this house. Through Christ our Lord.
|
R. Amen. |
R. Amen. |
The Confiteor is
said. After the priest says the Misereatur, he asks all in the house to
pray for the sick person as s/he receives Unction. |
In n�mine Patris
+, et F�lii +, et Sp�ritus + Sancti, exstingu�tur in te omnis virtus
di�boli per impositi�nem m�nuum nostr�rum, et per invocati�nem
glori�sae et sanctae Dei Genitricis Virginis Mariea, ejusqye inclytu
Sponsi Joseph, et �mnium sanct�rum Angelel�rum, Archangel�rum,
Patriarch�rum, Prophet�rum, Apostolorum, M�rtyrum, Confess�rum,
Virginum, atque �mnium simul Sanct�rum.
|
In the Name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, let there be
extinguished in you all power of the devil by the imposition of our
hands, and by the invocation of the glorious and holy Mother of God,
the Virgin Mary, and of her illustrious Spouse, St. Joseph, and of all
the holy Angels, Archangels, Patriarchs, Porphets, Apostles, Martyrs,
Confessors, Virgins, and of all the saints together.
|
R. Amen. |
R. Amen. |
The priest takes
the Oleum Infirmorum (the Oil of the Sick) and annoints the
sick person in 6 places:
eyelids
ears
nostrils
lips
hands
feet
As he annoints each place, he says the words below.
After annointing each place, he wipes it with a piece of cotton.
|
Per istam
sanctam Uncti�nem + et suam piisimam miseric�rdiam, ind�lgeat tibi
D�minus quidquid per (visum, audtiotum, odor�tum, gustum et locuti�nem,
tactum, gressum deliquisti.)
|
By this holy
unction + and his own most gracious mercy, may the Lord pardon you
whatever sin you have committed by (sight, hearing, smell, taste and
speech, touch, ability to walk).
|
R. Amen |
R. Amen |
The priest wipes
his hands on the bread or cotton, washes them, and continues:
|
Kyrie el�ison.
Christe el�ison.
Kyrie el�ison.
[Pater noster (silently)]....Et ne nos ind�cas in tentati�nem. |
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
[Our Father (silently)]...And lead us not into temptation. |
R. Sed libera
nos a malo. |
R. But deliver
us from evil. |
P. Salvum
(salvam) fac servum tuum (ancillam tuam).
R. Deus meus, sper�ntem in te.
P. Mitte ei, D�mine, auxilium de sancto.
R. Et de Sion tu�re eum (eam).
P. Esto ei, D�mine, turris fortitudinis.
R. A f�cie inim�ci.
P. Nihil prof�ciat inim�cus in eo (ea).
R. Et filius iniquit�tis non apponat noc�re ei.
P. D�mine, ex�udi orati�nem meam.
R. Et clamor meus ad te v�niat.
P. D�minus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo. |
P. Save your
servant (handmaid).
R. Who hopes in Thee, my God.
P. Send him (her) help, O Lord, from Thy holy place.
R. And from Sion Thy protection.
P. Be to him (her), O Lord, a tower of strength.
R. From the face of the enemy.
P. Let not the enemy prevail over him (her).
R. Nor the son of iniquity draw nigh to hurt him (her).
P. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come to Thee.
P. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit. |
Or�mus. D�mine
Deus, qui per Ap�stolum tuum Jac�bum locutus es: Infirm�tur quis �n
vobis? inducat presbyteros Eccl�siae, et orent super eum, ung�ntes eum
�leo in n�mine D�mini: et or�tio fidei salv�bit inf�rmum, et allevi�bit
eum D�minus: et si pecc�tis sit, remittentur ei: cura, qua�sumus,
Redemptor noster, gr�tia Sacti Sp�ritus langu�res istius inf�rme
(inf�rmae), ejusque sana vulnera, et dimitte pecc�ta atque dol�res
cunctos mentis et c�rporis ab eo (ea) exp�lle plen�mque int�rius
et ext�rius sanit�tem miseric�rditer redde, ut, ope miseric�rdiae tuae
restit�tus (restit�ta), ad pr�stina repar�tur off�cia. Qui cum Patre et
Sp�ritu Sancto vivis et regnas, Deus, in sa�cula saecul�rum.
|
Lord God, Who
said by Thy apsotle James: Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in
the priests of the Church, and let htem pray over him, ammointing him
with oil in the Name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith shall save
the sick man, and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins
they shall be forgiven him; we implore Thee, our Redeemer, to cure by
the grace of the Holy Spirit the ailments of this sick person and heal
his (her) wounds, forgive his (her) sins, drive from him (her) all
pains of mind and body and in Thy mercy restore him (her) to full
health within and without, that being cured by the help of Thy mercy he
(she) may return to his (her) former duties, Thou Who with the Father
and the Holy Spirit liveth and reignethGod, for ever and ever.
|
R. Amen |
R. Amen |
Or�mus. R�spice,
qua�sumus, D�mine, f�mulum tuum (f�mulam tuam) N.____ in infirmit�te
sui c�rporis fatiscentem, et �nimam r�fove, quam cre�sti: ut
castigati�nibus emend�tus (emend�ta), se tua s�ntiat medicina salv�tum
(salv�tam). Per Christum D�minum nostrum.
|
Let us pray.
Look down, Lord, upon Thy servant (handmaid) N____ who is failing in
the weakness of his (her) body; refresh the soul created by Thee,
that brought to amendment by chastisements he (she) may feel himself
(herself) saved by Thy healing. Through Christ our Lord.
|
R. Amen. |
R. Amen. |
D�mine sancte
Pater omnipotens, aet�rne Deus, qui benedicti�nis tuae gr�tiam agris
infund�ndo corp�ribus fact�ram tuam mult�plici piet�te cust�dis:
ad invocationem tui N�minis benignus assiste; ut f�mulum (f�mulam) tuum
(tuam) ab aegritudine liber�tum (liber�tam) et sanit�te don�tum
(don�tam), dextera tua erigas, virt�te confirmes, potestate tue�ris,
atque Ecclesiae tuae sanctae, cum omni desider�ta prosperit�te,
restituas. Per Christum D�minum nostrum.
|
Let us pray. O
holy Lord, Father almighty and eternal God, Who by pouring the grace of
Thy blessing upon the bodies of the sick tends Thy creature with many
proofs of Thy love, be pleased to draw near at the invocation of Thy
Name, that Thy servant (handmaid) may be delivered from sickness and
endowed with health: raise him (her) up with Thy right hand, strengthen
him (her) in Thy might, defend him (her) by Thy power, and restore him
(her) with all desired prosperity to Thy Holy Church. Through Christ
our Lord.
|
R. Amen |
R. Amen. |
The Last Blessing
|
V. Adj�torium
nostrum in n�mine D�mini
R. Qui fecit caelum et terram. |
V. Our help is
in the Name of the Lord.
R. Who made Heaven and Earth. |
Ne reminisc�ris,
Domine, delicta f�muli tui (ancillae tuae), neque vindictam sumas de
pecc�tis ejus. |
Remember not,
Lord, the offences of Thy servant (handmaid), and take not vengeance on
his (her) sins. |
Kyrie, eleison.
Christe, eleison.
Kyrie, Eleison.
[Pater noster (silently)]...Et ne nos inducas in tentationem. |
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
[Our Father
(silently)]...And lead us not into temptaton. |
R. Sed libera
nos a malo.
V. Salvum (salvam) fac servum tuum (ancillam tuam).
R. Deus meus, sper�ntem in te.
V. D�mine, ex�udi orati�nem meam.
R. Et clamor meus ad te v�niat.
V. D�minus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
V. Or�mus. |
R. But deliver
us from evil.
V. Save your servant (handmaid).
R. Who hopes in Thee, my God.
V. O Lord, hear
my prayer.
R. And let my cry come to Thee.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit
V. Let us pray. |
Or�mus.
Clementissime Deus, Pater misericordi�rum et Deus totius consolati�nis,
qui n�minem vis perire in te cred�ntem atque sper�ntem: sec�ndum
multit�dinem miserati�num tu�rum r�spice propitius f�mulum (f�mulam)
tuum (tuam) N.____ quem (quam) tibi vera fides et spes christi�na
commendant. Visita eum (eam) in salut�ri tuo, et per Unigeniti tui
passi�nem et mortem �mnium ei delict�rum su�rum remissi�nem et v�niam
clementer indulge; ut ejus �nima in hora exitus sui te judicem
propiti�tum inveniat et, in s�nguine ejusdem F�lii tui ab omni m�cula
abl�ta, transire ad vitam mereatur perpetuam. Per e�mdem Christum
D�minum nostrum.
|
Let us pray.
Most gracious God, Father of mercies and God of all consolation, Thou
wish none to perish that believes and hopes in Thee, according to Thy
many mercies look down favourably upon Thy servant (handmaid) N.____
whom true faith and Christian hope commend to Thee. Visit him (her) in
Thy saving mercy, and by the passion and death of Thy only-begotten
Son, graciously grant to him (her) forgiveness and pardon of all his
(her) sins that his (her) soul in the hour of its leaving the earth may
find Thee as a Judge appeased, and being washed from all stain in the
Blood of Thy same Son may deserve to pass to everlasting life. Through
the same Christ our Lord.
|
R. Amen |
R. Amen |
One of those
present, and the sick person (if possible) says the Confiteor, then the
priest says the Misereatur, Indulgentiam, etc. and continues: |
D�minus noster
Jesus Christus, F�lius Dei vivi, qui be�to Petro Ap�stolo suo dedit
potest�tem lig�ndi atque solv�ndi, per suam piissimam miseric�rdiam
recipiat confessionem tuam et restituat tibi stolam primam, quam in
Bapt�smate recep�sti: et ego facult�te mihi ab Apost�lica Sede trib�ta,
indulgentiam plen�riam et remissionem omnium peccatorum tibi conc�do.
In nomine Patris +, et F�lii, et Spiritus Sancti.
|
May our Lord
Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Who to His apostle Peter gave the
power of binding and loosing, by His most gracious mercy receive your
confession and restore to you that first robe which you received at
Baptism; and I, by the faculty given me by the Apostolic See, grant you
a plenary indulgence and remission of all your sins, in the Name of the
Father +, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
|
R. Amen. |
R. Amen. |
Per sacros�ncta
hum�nae reparati�nis myst�ria remittat tibi omnipotens Deus omnes
praes�ntis et fut�rae vitae paenas, Parad�si portas ap�riat, et ad
g�udia sempit�rna perd�cat.
|
By the Sacred
mysteries of man's redemption may almighty God remit to you all
penalities of the present life and of the life to come: may He open to
you the gates of paradise and lead you to joys everlasting.
|
R. Amen. |
R. Amen. |
Benedicat te
omnipotens Deus, Pater +, et F�lius, et Sp�ritus Sancus.
|
May almighty God
bless you, Father + and Son, and Holy Spirit. R. Amen.
|
R. Amen. |
R. Amen. |
Having come into
contact with the Holy Oil, the bread, cotton, lemon, and water used by
the priest when rinsing his fingers must be disposed of by burning or
by burying in the earth.
Thus ends the
Rite of the Sacrament of Unction.
Another thing
your priest might do -- and which you should ask for -- is offer the
Apostolic Blessing, which is a complete pardon for sins and for the
punishment of sins if the recipient is properly disposed.
|
Though not part
of the actual rite of Unction, a plenary indulgence
called an Apostolic Blessing may be given. Ask your priest for it
explicitly if he doesn't automatically offer it, or if you're unsure if
he's offered it:
Apostolic
Blessing |
Ego facultate
mihi ab Apostolic Sede tributa, indulgentiam plenariam et remissionem
omnium peccatorum tibi concedo et benedico te. In nomine Patris, et
Filii, + et Spirtus Sancti. Amen. |
By the Faculty
which the Apostolic See has given me, I grant you a plenary indulgence
for the remission of all your sins, and I bless you. In the Name of the
Father and the Son + and the Holy Sprit. Amen. |
Please, please
note that the rite surrounding this Sacrament in the Novus Ordo has
been radically changed and mostly amounts now to a simple
blessing (blessings for the sick are always OK, of course, but the
Sacrament is reserved traditionally for those who are gravely ill,
especially those in danger of death from bodily illness or injury).
Some of the changes:
-
The primary
purpose of the Sacrament is the remission of sins and the
preparedness of the soul.
In the new rite, the priest asks no pardon of God for sins and the
focus is on the body.
-
The matter of
the Sacrament is olive oil blessed by a Bishop using these words,
"Emitte, quaesumus Domine, Spiritum sanctum tuum Paraclitum de coelis
in hanc pinguedinem olivae, quam de viridi ligno producere dignatus es
and refectionem mentis et corporis..." ("Send forth we pray, Your Holy
Spirit, the Paraclete, from heaven into this rich substance of oil").
In the new rite, any oil of plant origin may be used, blessed by a
priest using these words: "May your blessing come upon all who are
anointed with this oil, that they may be freed from pain and illness
and made well again in body and mind and soul." The Holy Ghost is no
longer invoked.
-
The form of the
Sacrament is: "Through this Holy Unction or oil, and through the great
goodness of His mercy, may God pardon thee whatever sins thou hast
committed by evil use of sight (sight, hearing, smell, taste and
speech, touch, ability to walk)."
In the new rite, it is given as "Through this holy anointing may the
Lord in His love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit.
May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up." There
is no request of God to remit sins.
Back to Being
Catholic
Index
|