I mentioned in a previous post that, after leaving hospital, I wrote to a priest friend of mine living a great distance from me, Father Francis Maple, and told him of my experience.
He replied that I should have had in hospital the Sacrament of Annointing the sick.
I asked my parish priest and he visited me at home and after some prayers he annointed my forehead and hands with oil. He said this Scrament is important because I had been in a life threatening experience.
I did not have much time to discuss this with him.
But what is exactly the Sacrament of Annointing the sick?
When I was young there was something called Extreme Unction. Is it the same?
Does the Sacrament of Annointing the sick forgive all your sins? Like Confession?
If you die do you go to Heaven?
Is it instead of Communion? Say the patient is "nil by mouth" and cannot take Communion?
This led me to thinking. If whilst I was in hospital, fully conscious and waiting to go to the operating theater, a priest approached me to give this Sacrament. How would I have reacted? Would the fear of seeing him there resulted in a second heart attack?
How do we view a priest on such occasions? A sign that this is the end? Would we rejoice that we're leaving having made our peace with God? Or would we fear what is to come?
Does this Sacrament suffice to forgive sins? Or should Confession and, if possible, Communion also be taken for us to be at peace with Our Lord?
I welcome your comments.
God bless.
Vic M
IF ...
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Dear Victor,
ReplyDeleteI want to thank you and your readers for praying for our son-in-law and he's back home now and after they went through his wrist to check out the problem with his heart, no stent was needed at this time and like Aunt Gertrude might say, he's just a young wiper stap her in his late forties. He's driving my wife around and I joked about his quick recovery and asked him if he was sure that he could drive with that sour, "I" mean sore wrist? :)
Victor as you might be aware, in my old age, I've created an imaginary friend that I've called sinner vic thinking that he could be of help. He's made a lot of appearances at http://www.splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/ but truth be known it wasn't easy for this old atheist who is now a good Catholic to put UP with us (usual sinners). He, "I" mean sinner vic has even made a few appearances now and then for years also at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/2013/10/31/7-things-9-oclock-halloween/ and to be honest, a LOT of these folks are starting to fall in LUV with sinner vic.
What I'm trying to say is that I think that I'm going to retire this so called god who thinks that he owns 96% of my kingdom and that me, myself and i only own four per sent age cells of "Father", "Mother", "Son" and "Holy Spirit" so what do YA say we give him "ONE" final comment and.....
AND YA SAY VICTOR? Are YA sure Victor that YA won't need U>S (usual sinners), "I" mean us gods now? All we have to say to your audience and listen closely folks, "Manny", "I" mean Man He is one crazy Man and......
END YA SAY sinner vic? BE NICE! DON'T BE LIKE THAT NOW!
Go Figure folks! :)
Happy All souls day to you, your family and friends Victor.
God Bless Peace
I'm so glad your son-in-law is now better. Praise the Lord.
ReplyDeletePraying for you and yours. God bless.
Hi Victor! I have been out of town for a while, so I have missed visiting you! What wonderful questions you have, and I wish the priest was not so hurried with you. But here is what I think, because you asked for comments.
ReplyDeleteExtreme Unction is the old name for Anointing of the Sick. I think the name for this sacrament has been changed many times. It used to be thought of as a 'last resort', but people who are very sick, or are undergoing surgery may have it too.
If you are not able to take a Communion wafer, a small piece can be put on a tongue to dissolve. If even this is not possible, I think there is 'receiving the host by intention.' Certainly the Lord will not throw anyone out because they couldn't swallow.
Will you go to heaven? Who knows Victor. The Reconciliation will take away your sins on earth, but in the judgement to come, you may still have to do a little time in Purgatory. But remember, Jesus says that those who believe will be saved. I'd say you're 'in' for sure.
More than you wanted to know...but you did ask!!
Happy All Saints Day :)
Ceil
PS Hope your rehab is going well?
Thank you Ceil. You are brilliant. I really appreciate your full reply. When I'm better I hope to have a talk with our parish priest and learn more, or write to Father Francis, a friend who lives far away. Have you heard him sing? Click his name in the above post. I've put several of his songs on You Tube. He sings for charity and has raised more than £1m. Also click the picture of the baby on the top right. This pro-life song written by Fr Francis saved 20 babies from abortion.
DeleteI thank you so much for your kindness in replying to me. I'mm slowly getting better. Visited the doctor today. Next check-up in hospital on the 18th.
God bless you and your family, Ceil.
Loved the videos of your priest-friend! He looks and sounds like a great guy. You are blessed indeed to have him for a resource and companion.
DeleteTake care, Victor :)
Thanx Ceil. Glad you loved the videos. God bless you always.
DeleteHello Victor. Lots of questions...I was waiting for your answers. :o)
ReplyDeleteI am certainly no expert, and these are questions for a priest...however, since you are welcoming comments - this is what I believe to be truth about Extreme Unction:
It is a sacrament (Anointing of the Sick), which a priest anoints a person with blessed oil and prayer. This gives health and strength to the soul (which helps us when we are in danger of death; either by accident, sickness or even old age).
I'm not sure if our 'sins are forgiven without confession', I believe that both confession & receiving holy viaticum - are the parts of extreme unction (??? I'm not positive). It is my understanding that if a person is unconscious (or unaware), extreme unction does in fact take away mortal sin.
Extreme Unction gives us an increase in sanctifying grace, comfort & strength against temptation (at the time of death) and helps us to prepare for heaven.
These are all such wonderful questions...I will take this opportunity to further my understanding in my Faith. Thank you, Victor. And may God bless you and your family, always.
One more thing, about not being able to receive Communion - even just a drop of consecrated wine (The Blood of Christ) would work...it is His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity just the same.
DeleteLastly, Have peace.
Thank you so much Hand-Maid for a fullanswer to my questions. I appreciate your kindness. I did not realise that even if unconscious, annointing with oil takes away mortal sins. I doubt I had any at the time I was in hospital. But it's good to know.
DeleteSadly not enough is taught in Sunday sermons about the importance of these Sacraments and their meanings. The days of learning Catechism at school are so far away now. I didn't even know that Extreme Unction is the same as Annointing the sick.
When I write my "Father Ignatius" stories (see links on left) I usually research first to ensure they are "Catholic proof". But I never wrote about this subject.
Thank you Hand-Maid for taking the time to write to me. May God bless you and your family always.
Hi Victor,
ReplyDeleteHand-Maid has a great answer. My father has had the Anointing of the Sick numerous times and always recovers after...lol. I'm glad your parish priest gave you this Sacrament - it's for anyone who is seriously ill. Viaticum roughly translates as "food for the journey" and I love the thought of this Heavenly Food that gives us strength on our final journey.
Thank you so much for posting about Ros. I was just thinking about her this morning and then I saw your post. If it weren't for your post I would not have known that she died. I was deeply saddened by the news. I always had a particular fondness for her.
God bless you, my friend.
Thanx Mary. I didn't know what Viaticum meant. I'm glad you dad is OK.
DeleteIt's sad to hear about Ros. May she rest in peace.
God bless you and yours, Mary
I'm sure there are those who are better capable of answering your question. I'm just glad that you have pulled through the crises. Continued blessings and good health.
ReplyDeleteHi Manny. Glad I got some good replies from my readers. I've learnt a lot. I'm getting better slowly each day. Thank you so much for your good wishes. God bless you and your family.
DeleteThanx Colleen. I did not know this Sacrament forgives sins. I hope you and your husband are well. God bless you and yours.
ReplyDelete