healing/anointing of the sick Mass QUESTION from Catherine Dickson March 6, 2001 I have been invited to attend a meeting concerning an upcoming Mass at our Parish Church that our Prayer line will coordinate. It is called a healing of the sick Mass and a healing/anointing of the sick Mass in the announcement. Our input has been requested. Could you kindly recommend some reference material for me. I have never heard of a healing of the sick Mass and am wondering if this is meant to be different from the Sacrament of anointing of the sick. I was away from the Church for many years until recently and still have some catching up to do - especially in areas concerning changes in the Liturgy.
Thank you and God bless you, Catherine
ANSWER by John-Paul Ignatius, OLSM on April 17, 2001 Dear Mrs. Dickson:
I am sure your meeting has already taken place. I apologize for not being able to answer your question sooner.
A Healing Mass is a misleading title really. Unless the priest is changing the Mass illegally, there is no actual Healing Mass authorized by Rome. What this is actually referring to is that a healing priest will say Mass and then AFTER the Mass invite people to come forward to have a laying on of hands and anointing with oil. This may either be the Sacramental using oil and a blessing, or it can be the actual Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
This giving of the sacramental or the Sacrament is done AFTER Mass.
This can be a powerful experience and I do recommend to people who are hurting psychologically or spiritually to attend these sessions. In fact it is a standard part of the counseling process I use. It is also useful for those with illnesses to attend as well. Those who are ill may indeed receive the Sacrament of Anointing. One does not have to be in one's death bed to receive it.
Bro. Ignatius
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