St. Mary's Church Elizabeth, IL

8/31

The Sacrament of Anointing (2)

There are two important elements of the sacrament: touch and oil. The laying of hands by the
priest symbolizes the touch of Jesus. It is assurance that Jesus cares.
The use of oil varies widely. In antiquity oil was used not only for consumption, but it was used
as perfume, in soap production, it was used fuel for lamps. In ancient Greece, athletes ritually
rubbed oil on their bodies. Oil was the source of wealth and power. Archeological discoveries
show that oilwas used in funerary rituals. The oil, since the antiquity, was used for healing.
The priest anoints the person on the forehead saying: "Through this holy anointing may the
Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the holy Spirit. Amen."
Then the priest, anoints with oil the palms of both hands, saying: "May the Lord who frees you
from sin, save you and raise you up. Amen."

The purpose of the Sacrament of Anointing is to ask God for healing. The anointed person
surrenders physical power to the power of God and his will. While asking for healing, the
anointed person willingly accepts to whatever God might decide. Our life does not belong to us;
it belongs to God who has the power to do whatever he wills. It is an important lesson in
today's society which often avoids the fact that we are mortals, ignoring the subject that God is
the one who sets limit to our days.

The Sacrament of Anointing is the sacrament of healing. While the main sacrament for
forgiveness of sins is the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Church from its early days confers
forgiveness of sins upon those who are incapable of confessing their sins, for example those
who are in coma.

The Sacrament of Anointing is for all of us. It is Jesus the Healer who reaches out to our broken
bodies, showing his compassion and love. He invites us to experience the salvation he won for
us through his death and resurrection. He is the one who heals the hurts of body and soul.

Fr. Joachim