Anointing of the Sick in a Hospital or Institution
In the light of verbal indications given to several episcopal Conferences, texts in this rite affected by the new translation of the Roman Missal into English are appended and indicated by the abbreviation ‘NTRM’. Users are requested to consult their local Ordinary, or abide by guidelines issued by him, in determining which text to use.
An (L) indicates that a text is also provided in Latin, after the English.
1. INTRODUCTION
2. INTRODUCTORY RITES
a. Greeting
b. Instruction
c. [Sacrament of Penance (L)]
3. LITURGY OF ANOINTING
a. Laying on of Hands
b. Anointing (L)
c. The Lord’s Prayer
d. Prayer after Anointing
4. CONCLUDING RITE
a. Blessing (L)
INTRODUCTION
Please note that the General Introduction for the Pastoral Care of the Sick: Rites of Anointing and Viaticum, can be found in the Pastoral Care of the Sick - Readings found in the ‘Rites’ section of the iBreviary.
Have faith in God, and faith in me.
149. Although the sacrament of anointing should be celebrated whenever possible in accordance with the full rites already given, the special circumstances of hospital ministry often make it necessary to abbreviate the rite. The rite which follows is a simplification of the anointing rite and preserves its central elements. It is intended for those occasions when only the priest and sick person are present and the complete rite cannot be celebrated.
150. The priest should inquire beforehand about the physical and spiritual condition of the sick person in order to plan the celebration properly and choose the appropriate prayers. If possible he should involve the sick person in this preparation, and should explain the significance of the sacrament.
151. If the sick person wishes to celebrate the sacrament of penance, it is preferable that the priest make himself available for this during a previous visit. If it is necessary, this may take place during the introductory rites.
152. The circumstances of an emergency room or casualty ward of a hospital may make the proper celebration of the sacrament difficult. If the condition of the sick person does not make anointing urgent, the priest may find it better to wait for a more appropriate time to celebrate the sacrament.
153. The priest should arrange for the continued pastoral care of the sick person, especially for frequent opportunities to receive communion.
INTRODUCTORY RITES
GREETING
The priest greets the sick person and the others present. One of the following greetings may be used:
A. The peace of the Lord be with you always.
B. The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Response: And also with you. [NTRM: And with your spirit.
]
INSTRUCTION
The priest may prepare the sick person for the liturgy of anointing with an instruction (given below) or with the following prayer:
Lord God,
you have said to us through your apostle James:
“Are there people sick among you?
Let them send for the priests of the Church,
and let the priests pray over them,
anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.
The prayer of faith will save the sick persons,
and the Lord will raise them up.
If they have committed any sins,
their sins will be forgiven them.”
Lord,
we have gathered here in your name
and we ask you to be among us,
to watch over our brother/sister N.
We ask this with confidence,
for you live and reign for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
Or the following instruction may be used:
My dear friends, we are gathered here in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who is present among us. As the gospels relate, the sick came to him for healing; moreover, he loves us so much that he died for our sake. Through the apostle James, he has commanded us: “Are there any who are sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick persons, and the Lord will raise them up; and if they have committed any sins, their sins will be forgiven them.” Let us therefore commend our sick brother/sister N. to the grace and power of Christ, that he may save him/her and raise him/her up.
If the sick person so wishes, the sacrament of penance may now be celebrated.
After the confession of the penitent, the priest extends his hands over the penitent’s head (or at least extends his right hand); care should be taken that this gesture is not confused with the laying on of hands during anointing. He says:
God, the Father of mercies,
through the death and reconciliation of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the Church
may God give you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you from your sins
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, +
and of the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
Deus, Pater misericordiárum,
qui per mortem et resurrectiónem Fílii sui
mundum sibi reconciliávit
et Spíritum Sanctum effúdit in remissiónem peccatórum,
per ministérium Ecclésiæ indulgéntiam tibi tríbuat et pacem.
Et ego te absólvo a peccátis tuis
in nómine Patris et Fílii + et Spíritus Sancti.
R. Amen.]
LITURGY OF ANOINTING
LAYING ON OF HANDS
In silence, the priest lays his hands on the head of the sick person.
ANOINTING
The priest anoints the sick person with blessed oil.
First, he anoints the forehead, saying
Through this holy anointing
may the Lord in his love and mercy
help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
Per istam sanctam Unctiónem
et suam piíssimam misericórdiam,
ádiuvet te Dóminus grátia Spíritus Sancti;
R. Amen.]
Then he anoints the hands, saying:
May the Lord who frees you from sin
save you and raise you up.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
ut a peccátis liberátum (liberátam)
te salvet atque propítius állevet.
R. Amen.]
The sacramental form is said only once, for the anointing of the forehead and hands, and is not repeated.
Depending upon the culture and traditions of the place, as well as the condition of the sick person, the priest may also anoint additional parts of the body, for example, the area of pain or injury. He does not repeat the sacramental form.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
The priest introduces the Lord’s Prayer in these or similar words:
A. Now let us offer together the prayer our Lord Jesus taught us:
B. And now let us pray with confidence as Christ our Lord commanded:
All say:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
PRAYER AFTER ANOINTING
The priest says one of the following prayers:
General General In extreme or terminal illness In advanced age Before surgery For a child For a young person
Let us pray.
A. General
Father in heaven,
through this holy anointing
grant N. comfort in his/her suffering.
When he/she is afraid, give him/her courage,
when afflicted, give him/her patience,
when dejected, afford him/her hope,
and when alone, assure him/her of the support of your holy people.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
B. General
Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer,
by the grace of your Holy Spirit
cure the weakness of your servant N.
Heal his/her sickness and forgive his/her sins;
expel all afflictions of mind and body;
mercifully restore him/her to full health,
and enable him/her to resume his/her former duties,
for you are Lord for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
C. In extreme or terminal illness
Lord Jesus Christ,
you chose to share our human nature,
to redeem all people, and to heal the sick.
Look with compassion upon your servant N.,
whom we have anointed in your name
with this holy oil for the healing of his/her body and spirit.
Support him/her with your power,
comfort him/her with your protection,
and give him/her the strength to fight against evil.
Since you have given him/her
a share in your own passion,
help him/her to find hope in suffering,
for you are Lord for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
D. In advanced age
God of mercy,
look kindly on your servant who has grown weak
under the burden of years.
In this holy anointing
he/she asks for healing in body and soul.
Fill him/her with the strength of your Holy Spirit.
Keep him/her firm in faith
and serene in hope,
so that he/she may give us all an example of patience
and joyfully witness to the power of your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
E. Before surgery
God of compassion,
our human weakness lays claim to your strength.
We pray that through the skills of surgeons and nurses
your healing gifts may be granted to N.
May your servant respond to your healing will
and be reunited with us at your altar of praise.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
F. For a child
God our Father,
we have anointed your child N.
with the oil of healing and peace.
Caress him/her, shelter him/her,
and keep him/her in your tender care.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
R. Amen.
G. For a young person
God our healer,
in this time of sickness
you have come to bless N. with your grace.
Restore him/her to health and strength,
make him/her joyful in spirit,
and ready to embrace your will.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
CONCLUDING RITE
BLESSING
Then the priest blesses the sick person, using one of the following:
A
May the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit,
come upon you and remain with you for ever.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
Benedíctio Dei omnipoténtis,
Patris + et Fílii et Spíritus Sancti,
descéndat super vos, et máneat semper.
R. Amen.]
B
May God the Father bless you.
R. Amen.
May God the Son heal you.
R. Amen.
May God the Holy Spirit enlighten you.
R. Amen.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
Benedícat te Deus Pater.
R. Amen.
Sanet te Dei Fílius.
R. Amen.
Illúminet te Spíritus Sanctus.
R. Amen.
Corpus tuum custódiat et ánimam tuam salvet.
R. Amen.
Cor tuum collústret et te ad supérnam vitam perdúcat.
R. Amen.
Et vos omnes, qui hic simul adéstis,
benedícat omnípotens Deus,
Pater, et Fílius, + et Spíritus Sanctus.
R. Amen.]
