O n Monday, my brother, Brian, and I leave for a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy. It is meant to be a fun and relaxing trip to celebrate 25 years of priestly service. Having lived in Rome for six years I know its ancient center almost as well as my hometown of Marshfield! While I was a seminarian – and later a priest – studying in Rome, I came to love the Italians and their pasta, wine, and coffee! More importantly, however, my brother and I go as pilgrims filled with thanks to God for His many blessings – especially for the gift of faith and family, the vocation to the Priesthood, and for the abundant graces that have sustained us through health problems in recent years. As pilgrims we also go to the place of the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul to beg God for His continued mercy on us and our loved ones. We will have the opportunity to spend time with our uncle, Cardinal Burke, as well as one of my university classmates, Monsignor Marco Nunzi, who is a priest of the Diocese of Orvieto-Todi north of Rome. Besides the side trip to Orvieto, we plan on going to Florence, Assisi, and Nettuno as well. You and your loved ones will be specially remembered in my prayers as we visit the holy sites in Rome. In my absence, Deacon Kevin Ray stands ready to assist you in any of your pastoral needs.

We continue with part five of the answer to the question posed by a parishioner: “ Who is a person to call if somebody needs the last rites before death” if the Pastor is gone? Last week’s installment highlighted the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) recovering from Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition the broader administration of the sacramental care for the sick: “‘Extreme Unction’ which can also and better be called “Anointing of the Sick” is not a sacrament exclusively for those who are involved in the final crisis of life and death. There can therefore be no doubt that the point when a Christian begins to be in danger of death, either through illness or old age, is already a suitable time to receive it” ( Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 73). In spite of the revisions to the celebration of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick more than 40 years ago, many Catholics today do not know much more than the existence of the sacrament. And many others have an impoverished understanding of the sacrament thinking that it is limited to so-called “last rites” to be administered only when one is at death’s doorstep. The sad fact is that 40 years of almost total failure of catechesis of children and adults with regard to this sacrament has meant that today few people actually think to request this sacrament for themselves or their loved ones at the appropriate time. This is tragic. Administering it for 25 years has shown me time and again just how powerfully Christ acts on behalf of the sick and the dying in the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.

How is the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick celebrated? In accord with the example of our Lord Jesus Christ (see Mark 6:12 and 16:18) and the scriptural testimony of Saint James (5:14-15) only Bishops and Priests may administer the sacrament. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that “like all the sacraments the Anointing of the Sick is a liturgical and communal celebration, whether it takes place in the family home, a hospital or church, for a single sick person or a whole group of sick persons” (1517). The prayerful and attentive participation of the family of the sick persons in the celebration of the sacrament – along with friends and fellow parishioners – manifests the Church who accompanies the suffering and dying. Since “it is very fitting to celebrate it within the Eucharist, the memorial of the Lord’s Passover” ( Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1517), several times each year our parishes have Masses with Anointing at area healthcare facilities. It is most common, however, to administer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick outside of the celebration of the Mass. That is where we will pick things up next week!

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us! Saint Luke, pray for us!
Very Rev. Kevin C. Louis, STL