Page 15 - The Sacraments

THE SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK
‘That He May
the suffering; the forgiveness of sins; the restoration of health, if it helps save the soul; and the preparation for eternal life; see CCC, 1532)
Activities
1. Bringing the Gospels alive. There are so many powerful ac- counts of Jesus healing people. (Go to CATmag.us/2mNwQJs to find links to Gospel healing accounts.) Break the class into small groups, and assign each a Gospel story of healing. Have them act out their scenes, and then discuss as a class what it would have been like to be pres- ent or to be the one healed. What would they say to Jesus? How would they live their life differ- ently afterward?
2. Guest speaker. Who better to talk to your class about this sacrament than the one who ad- ministers it? Invite a priest who you know speaks lovingly about the Anointing of the Sick to come and bring the sacramentals he uses (oil, prayer book, stole, cru- cifix, pyx, etc.). He can talk about the beauty of healing (in its many forms, including eternal life) and share some of his own experiences.
Illness and death are hard top- ics to tackle, but when we explore them in the light of renewal and salvation, our students will sure- ly reach a better understanding of suffering, the end of life, and heal- ing — whether that healing is on earth or with the Lord in heaven.
LYNN WEHNER is a Catholic writer, editor, speaker, retreat leader, and catechist from Connecticut.
Raise Them Up
and Save Them’
Help students discover the beauty Tof the Anointing of the Sick
LYNN WEHNER
he Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is about healing, renewal, and life. Yet the idea of illness or death can be difficult for young people to ponder. Our challenge in teaching this sacrament is to discover
ways to express its beauty as a wonderful gift from our loving God.
The very core of the Good News is present here. The Catechism tells us:
By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. (CCC, 1499)
For those who are nearing death or are suffering due to se- rious illness or old age, this sac- rament provides strength, cour- age, and peace. Poured forth is nothing less than the miracu- lous healing power of God, of- fered to us through the hands of his priests. This is the light of hope we are called to share with our students.
From the Word
“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him,anointinghimwithoilinthe
name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (James 5:14-15)
The very core of the Good News is present here.
Class discussion
■ When can someone receive the Anointing of the Sick? (each time a Christian falls seriously ill ... and also when, after he has received it, the illness worsens; see CCC, 1529)
■ What does this sacrament involve? (liturgical prayers and anointing the person with oil that has been blessed by the bishop)
■ What are the effects of this sacrament? (the uniting of the person to the passion of Christ; the strength to endure
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The Sacraments The FAITH ESSENTIALS Series
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