When I was a kid, I would often spend time rummaging through my mother’s handbag which usually contains all sorts of interesting stuff, most of them meant to respond to various contingencies. Now that I am an adult, I may not have a similar bag, but I do carry a few useful items, mostly my tiny coin purse. Aside from some cash, this small pouch has a ring rosary and a thimble-sized container of oil for the sick. Ever since the pandemic, particularly in our outdoor Masses wherein I usually go for my rounds, I learned to anticipate pastoral situations that may arise. Aside from hearing confessions in random places, I have frequently encountered the need to pray for those who are ailing. Thus, I have learned to bring some holy oil whenever the need to anoint a sick person arises. Case in point, this became handy in my last house blessing when the mother of the home was scheduled for an operation and needed anointing.
I have pointed out in my homilies that, though the core teachings of the Church remain the same, their articulation and practice, like all living organisms, grow. As such, our current pastoral practice has moved away from using the terms “extreme unction” (unction is an old word for anointing) or “last rites” in reference to the Sacrament of Anointing because these may instill the notion that this sacrament is only to be accessed in extreme circumstances, particularly for the actively dying. Let us remember that the sacrament—coupled with confession (and if possible, Holy Communion) is meant for real healing, for both the physical and spiritual ailments. It is not the send-off for those in the extreme end of life. It is a pious privilege to accompany with the sacraments those in their dying moments, but this timeframe may be hard to determine. Whenever humanly possible, we do respond swiftly to such calls but, even so, there had been occasions wherein death arrived sooner than the priest. In waiting for this “last” or “extreme” moment, when we have not much room for unforeseen circumstances, we run the risk of depriving our loved ones of the sacraments they need to either heal them (through the immeasurable grace of God) or to adequately prepare their souls for the next life.
On our part, we are making all efforts to make the sacraments of healing—confession and anointing—readily accessible. In the confessionals we have holy oils, thus you can be anointed right there and then. You may also request any of these sacraments at the sacristy before or after Mass. In case you see me taking my walks, know that there is a big chance that I have oils with me and so you can ask me to serve you anytime. You may also call the office to make an appointment with a priest or, if the parishioner is homebound, a priest can pay a visit as soon as possible. For this to work—knowing that with our large parish community, there are areas that will escape our cursory attention—we need your initiative to inform the church of your needs in a timely fashion. This is particularly true for the elderly and those who have lingering infirmities.
May Our Lady of Lourdes pray for us and all who are burdened with bodily and spiritual ailments.
