American Catholic | Messages for ...

Perhaps no sacrament has changed so much in its theology and celebration as the sacrament of anointing of the sick. Before the 1970s, it was called extreme unction, and was reserved for the dying. Now it is available for all physically sick and mentally ill people to help them bear their sufferings and also to heal them—spiritually and maybe physically. In years past, it was usually a private service performed beside a sickbed at home or in the hospital, with just the immediate family in attendance. Or it was done roadside, with high drama, for victims of car or other accidents. The sacrament used prayers that seemed to emphasize avoiding hell than rather than getting to heaven.

Today, Catholic parishes in the United States celebrate the sacrament with quarterly or yearly communal services. Members of the parish family attend the services, as well as the entire family of the sick person. Of course, there are still private family services.

We here at St. Anthony Messenger Press are seeking your special memories about how the sacrament of anointing of the sick has touched you.

15 Years Cancer Survivor

In Novenber of 1994 I attended a communal Annointing of the Sick. I was diagnosed with bilateral breat cancer after the phathologist found cancer in both breast from my breast reduction in Nov.4, 1994. I remember after recieving the oil on my forehead that when I returned to the pew I began to cry. It was the first time that I had cried since hearing the devastating news. The tears relieved my tension and the Anointing prepared me for my surgery which was on Nov. 22, 1994. My Oncologist let me have Christmas with my family and my shunt was inserted for chemotherapy on Jan. 4, 1995. I feel that the time between the Anointing and the surgery gave me a positive attitude about my situation and allowed me to realize that my circumstances were a blessing. The cancer would have gone unknown for years. As it is, it will be 15 years as a breast cancer survivor this November 2009. I just had my 70th birthday on June 1st. I am truly blessed and I was blessed by the Anointing. God used me as an example to educate other women about breast cancer and to have their mammogram every year. Also, not to take the Radilogist word that the X-ray is to dense to read. They have to insist on another test. Today, hopefully the digital mammogram is a big improvement.

Lorraine
Arroyo Grande, California
Friday, June 26, 2009