4Real Forums: Anointing of the Sick?

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login

Tea and Conversation
4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation

Topic: Anointing of the Sick?

Author

Message

<< Prev Topic | Next Topic >>

Betsy
Forum All-Star

Joined: July 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1962

Posted: Jan 14 2014 at 2:48pm \| IP Logged

Here is a good article from Catholic.com on the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick

The article ask the question, "Does a person have to be dying to receive this Sacrament?" And answers, NO! With the following quote from the Catechism:

Quote:

"The anointing of the sick is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived" (CCC 1514).

SO.....you don't need to be at the point of death. But, what if you are going in for a surgery that you have every expectation of coming out of and are in all other ways healthy? I have always though that surgery was a reason to have the anointing, but now that I am faced with the decision it doesn't seem *right*?

Anyone have any practice experience or advice????

__________________
ImmaculataDesigns.com
When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!

pumpkinmom
Forum All-Star

Joined: March 28 2012
Location: Missouri
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1028

Posted: Jan 14 2014 at 3:07pm \| IP Logged

I haven't read the article, but at our church people do receive the sacrament before surgery (even simple ones). This year I took my boys to serve at a Mass that was intended to be a Mass "for the sick" and our priest did the sacrament for anyone who wanted it. I took the sacrament because I have type 1 diabetes and the guidelines that were in our church bulletin said I could have the sacrament. Just my experience with it.

__________________
Cassie
Homeschooling my little patch of Ds-14 and Ds-10
Tending the Pumpkin Patch

JodieLyn
Forum Moderator

Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234

Posted: Jan 14 2014 at 3:12pm \| IP Logged

There is always a risk with surgery no matter how many times everything comes out ok.

__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4

All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott

JennGM
Forum Moderator

Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702

Posted: Jan 14 2014 at 5:40pm \| IP Logged

Yes, anytime I've had to go under general anesthesia I get anointed.

This sacrament is also for healing, so it would be appropriate for you to receive it right now, even before surgery.

I got the sacrament two times before my open heart surgery. My symptoms were getting debilitating, so my mother wanted a priest to anoint right away, so that was a couple of weeks before my surgery.

Right before we were leaving for the surgery a priest friend came by. I asked if it was too soon to receive again, and he had three points of reference:

1) if my symptoms had worsened
2) if I was going to travel
3) if I was facing surgery

So all 3 applied, really, so I received again.

__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to

& ds1

'03 & ds2

'07
Family in Feast and Feria

Betsy
Forum All-Star

Joined: July 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1962

Posted: Jan 14 2014 at 5:42pm \| IP Logged

Jenn,
Very helpful! I will make an appointment.

__________________
ImmaculataDesigns.com
When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!

JodieLyn
Forum Moderator

Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234

Posted: Jan 14 2014 at 11:24pm \| IP Logged

Betsy, I think the worst thing you can follow is how you feel about something, how it "seems".

I don't know if you remember that I was in the hospital on bed rest with my last pregnancy. I still remember the shock each time I saw a particular sign and realized that I was the highest risk listed. I felt good.

But the biggest thing I took away with me was that how I felt about something, how normal it seemed, can be at odds with the real risk and I should treat risk like risk even if the odds say, everything will be fine and we'll sail right through.

__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4

All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott

Betsy
Forum All-Star

Joined: July 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1962

Posted: Jan 15 2014 at 9:54am \| IP Logged

I think you are right, Jodie,
While I made an appointment IMMEDIATELY for Jayden when he was in the hospital (even though I didn't think for a second he was close to death).
It just doesn't seem right to 'bother' the Priest when I am in relative good health except for what I need surgery for. Now, with others I would argue the value of the Sacrament and that is how God has set up His Church for our benefit, etc.... I guess it's like you said, it just doesn't 'seem' that critical for myself or life threatening. But, I agree, any surgery can have severe complications.

I need to just get over my pride and ask the Priest at Mass today.

__________________
ImmaculataDesigns.com
When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!

4 lads mom
Forum All-Star

Joined: Sept 26 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1944

Posted: Jan 15 2014 at 1:07pm \| IP Logged

Do it....you will rest easier going into surgery...it is the right thing to do! I would think of the Grace, we can never have enough Grace.

__________________
Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
Scenes From This and That

JennGM
Forum Moderator

Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702

Posted: Jan 15 2014 at 1:08pm \| IP Logged

4 lads mom wrote:

Do it....you will rest easier going into surgery...it is the right thing to do! I would think of the Grace, we can never have enough Grace.

This, exactly. The source of grace from the Sacrament is wonderful. Not only are you looking for healing, but you are also asking for peace of mind, acceptance of His Will, and perseverance through all the trials of recuperation.

__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to

& ds1

'03 & ds2

'07
Family in Feast and Feria

Betsy
Forum All-Star

Joined: July 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1962

Posted: Jan 15 2014 at 2:41pm \| IP Logged

Okay Ladies I talked to the Priest!

I will call when I get back from my trip and do it after Mass! Thanks for the support and encouragement.

__________________
ImmaculataDesigns.com
When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

[Add this topic to My Favorites]

Printable version

Forum Jump

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com