Angels, Anointing and Peace at the Last

Last updated on: August 18, 2014 at 6:07 pm by Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Angels, Anointing and Peace at the Last 2014-08-18T18:07:21-05:00 Fr. Dwight Longenecker

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Twice in the last three days I have had the privilege of attending the death bed of an old woman.

In both cases the dear souls were surrounded by loved ones, and in both cases they were struggling in the final stages of their lives.

Mostly unconscious, they were moaning and their facial expressions indicated that they were in some distress.

I introduced myself, and found that in both cases there was a non-Catholic Christian with us–a nurse and the nursing home chaplain.

So I explained the Rite of Anointing, “We Catholics believe that the power and grace of God is administered not only spiritually, but physically. So I’m going to say some prayers with (we’ll say) Jeanine and then I’m going to lay hands on her and pray for healing. Then I’m going to anoint her with holy oil. You know, like it says in the Book of James, “If there are any who are sick among you call the priest and anoint them with oil and the Lord will raise up the sick person and they will be forgiven.”

Then I asked if they would like to join us in those prayers. Neither refused to share in the prayers with us.

So I opened my little traveling anointing case, got out the pyx, the oil stock and set up the crucifix, donned the stole and began the prayers.

At once a different atmosphere started to pervade the room.

It was as if the veil between this world and the next were opened and the invited angels began to surround us.

As the prayers continued, in both cases the women stopped moaning. I asked one if she could hear me to take my hand and squeeze it. Suddenly her hand reached up, searching for mine.

The rite is so simple and so ordinary…no signs and wonders it seemed…no amazing miracles…or so it seemed…just the Lord’s presence and the Church’s sacrament.

At the anointing itself there was a sense of quiet wonder and gratitude.

Then in each case I went on to recite the precious prayers for passing….”Go forth upon your journey Christian soul. Go in the name of God the Father who created you. Go in the name of Jesus Christ who redeemed you. Go in the name of the Holy Spirit…Go forth….”

Then a prayer that the Holy Guardian angels might take her and lead her into paradise.

Then it was over.

I remember reading somewhere that Evelyn Waugh was questioned about the deathbed scene of Lord Marchmain in Brideshead Re-Visited. If you are unfamiliar with the scene, old Lord Marchmain comes home to die. He’s been a lapsed Catholic and rebellious against the church. Then on his death bed the priest comes and anoints him. When he leads through the confession he asks old Marchmain for a sign that he has heard and his will is engaged. Out of his unconsciousness Marchmain feebly makes the sign of the cross.

Waugh was challenged. “That scene was simply too unrealistic.” his critic complained. Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Previous Post

August 18, 2014

Scapegoating and Social Violence

Next Post

August 19, 2014 Cardinal Newman's Prayer

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Anglican Matters Apologetics Architecture Blobble Study Book Reviews Brideshead Caitlin O'Rourke Catholic Art Catholic Culture Church Politics Chust for Nice Contemporary Culture Duane Mandible Ed Blanch Film Reviews Fr Harvey Nicolaitan Frank Viola Mantilla the Hon More Christianity Mrs Brady Catholic Old Lady Mystery of the Magi Norman Anderson Queen Hillary Saints and Supernatural Spirituality The Inklings The Vicar Theology Todd Unctuous Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz