Anointing

Syllabus - Fall 2007 
12:639 Ministry to the Sick, Dying and Bereaved

Fall Elective Course -- Two Credit Hours
Saint Meinrad School of Theology
Saint Meinrad, Indiana

Rev. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M., S.T.D,
Professor of Sacramental / Liturgical Theology

Course Description

This course studies the history of the Church's care for the sick, the dying, the dead, and the bereaved, as well as the rituals and liturgical rites the Church employs in this ministry:  The Anointing of the Sick and The Order of Christian Funerals. The aim of the course is to understand the meaning of these rites, to develop a theology of illness and death, and to enable the participants to be better prepared to minister to the sick, the dying, and the bereaved, and to assist others preparing for this ministry in Catholic parishes.

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Assigned Reading

The Rites of the Catholic Church, Volume I (Third edition). Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1990. ISBN 978-0-8146-6015-7.  $19.77

Charles W. Gusmer.  And You Visited Me: Sacramental Ministry to the Sick and the Dying. Revised Edition. Pueblo.  Collegeville, Minnesota.  1990.  ISBN # 0-8146-6061-4. Paperback. (Used from $1.33)

Richard Rutherford with Tony Barr. The Death of a Christian: The Order of Christian Funerals. Revised Edition.   Pueblo, Collegeville, Minnesota.  1990.  ISBN # 0-8146-6040-1 Paperback. (Used from $3.74)

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Course Objectives

I would hope that by the end of the course the participants would: 
1. Be able to answer the ordinary historical, theological and/or pastoral questions that Catholics might ask about these rites;
2. Understand the structure and elements of the rites;
3. Be able to plan and celebrate these rites in a fruitful manner;
4. Be better able to minister to the sick and the bereaved;
5. Know how to help others prepare for these ministries in a parish setting;
6. Have developed a deeper spirituality regarding sickness and death.

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MTS Goals and Outcomes

Goals  At Saint Meinrad School of Theology the goal of the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree is "to strengthen the theological basis of a student’s life and work, whether in a ministerial or secular career. The degree also provides a basic understanding of the theological disciplines required for further graduate study."

Outcomes

1. Graduates will understand the biblical, historical, and doctrinal dimensions of Catholic belief and practice.  This outcome will be achieved by our reading and study of the two text books and by our examination of the official rituals.

2. Graduates will read and interpret theological texts critically. This outcome will be achieved by the discussion and the written assignments.

3. Graduates will analyze issues of contemporary life and pastoral practice theologically.  This outcome will be achieved by planning the liturgies for anointing and for funerals; and by role playing situations of visiting the sick and comforting the bereaved.

4. Graduates will identify the personal, social, and cultural influences on their theological interpretations and expressions. This outcome will be achieved by group discussion and peer evaluation of the postings.

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Schedule of Topics and Assignments

01 August 30 Introduction to the Course
Before the Class:  Read through this syllabus.  Purchase and preview the the required readings for the course.  Explore the pertinent sections of my website, especial the materials in the General Introduction, Ministry to the Sick, and Ministry to the Bereaved and the Dead  
During Class:  Four Treasurers in the Attic   I will give an orientation to my website www.tomrichstatter.org    And I will present the pertinent material from my class notes Chapters  d11 General Introduction to All of the Courses I Teach and from Chapter s12 Introduction to Anointing and Funerals   We will view the video Sacrament of Anointing:  The Church's Prayer for the Sick.  Catholic Update Video, Order # V2093  ($19.95) St. Anthony Messenger Press 1-800-488-0488  www.AmericanCatholic.org   
After Class:  Before midnight September 05  (Posting #1  Essay: Experience of Illness) post an essay of 600-1000 words describe a situation in which you were ill and experienced someone's ministry.  What happened?  What did it feel like?  Have you every been anointed?  Was it a good experience?  These are simply general questions to guide your reflection and to help you form your essay.  Perhaps you may wish to describe a situation in which someone close to you was ill; or perhaps you may choose to write about your experience of ministry to someone who was ill.  (Course Outcome 4)

02 September 06  Introduction to Part One:  Ministry to the Sick and Dying
Before the Class:  Read Charles W. Gusmer.  And You Visited Me: Sacramental Ministry to the Sick and the Dying.  pp 1-50
During Class: We will discuss the "Posting #1 Experience of Illness" postings from last period.  Begining discussion of "Top Ten List for Visiting the Sick" and "Theology of Illness and Death."  Introduction to the "Ten Finger History Grid." 
After Class:  Before midnight September 12,  (Posting #2 Two Comments) post a comment on each of at least two of last weeks postings.  (Course Outcome 3)

03 September 13  History of Attitudes and Practices Regarding the Sick
Before the Class:  Read Charles W. Gusmer.  And You Visited Me: Sacramental Ministry to the Sick and the Dying pp 51-138.
During Class: We will discuss the readings and the history of ministry to the sick.  Discussion of Valid and Licit
After Class:  Before midnight September 19, post  (Posting #3 History: Ministry to the Sick) using the ten categories of the historical grid, outline the history of ministry to the sick.  Make one or two significant statements in each of the ten divisions of the grid.  So that the final grid can be printed on one page, each of the ten entries is to contain 30 words or less.  It is important that no entry exceed 30 words or three typed lines.  This not only allows the grid to be printed on one page, but more importantly it forces you to judge and decide which are the most important elements of this history.  (Course Outcome 1)

04 September 20  The Rites for the Sick and Dying
Before the Class:  Read Pastoral Care of the Sick: Rites of Anointing and Viaticum. (The page numbers given here are those in the study edition of The Rites published by the Liturgical Press, 1990) pp 759 - 908 [150 pages; but much of this is repetition of outlines and prayer texts] Read especially the Apostolic Constitution by Pope Paul VI revising the matter and form of the sacrament (pp 771 - 774) and the General Introduction #1 - 41 (pp 778-789) and the introductions to each of the rites.  Be sure to read the Rite for Emergencies #259ff, and Christian Initiation for the Dying, #275ff.
During Class:  We will review your postings on the history of the Church's ministry to the sick and dying. 
After Class:  Before midnight September 26, post  (Posting #4  Communal Anointing: Script)  Plan a communal celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. (Course Outcome 2)  The purpose of this assignment is to 1) to help you become familiar with the Rite of Anointing celebrated during a Sunday parish Mass; 2) to encourage you to sort through what you have learned about the history of the sacrament and in order to select those issues about which you feel your parishioners are most in need of catechesis; 3) to help you to begin to develop a "Theology of Suffering" and preach this in homilies; and 4) to help you begin to practice the skills of drawling these issues from the Word of God and helping today's Catholics see the mystery of suffering in their lives.   ---  The rite to be used on this occasion is given in Chapter 4 of the ritual "Anointing of the Sick, Part 2 Anointing Within Mass"  (Ritual #133-148; The Rites, pp 831-839).   For the purposes of this assignment you are to pretend you are to: 1)  Select a specific parish and date -- a parish with which you are familiar or one you make up.  Describe this context in the introduction to your ritual.  2)  Imagine that you are the priest presiding at this liturgy and indicate in your script the Scripture Readings, Ritual Prayers and Ritual Actions which you will use on this occasion.  3) Include the full text of the homily you will preach; and 4) also include any instructions or directions written or oral that will be give to the participating congregation. 

Gathering    Ritual  #135-136   Use the options given in #135-136 or (preferably) begin the Eucharist with a water rite which emphasizes the relation between Anointing of the Sick is and the commitment we make at Baptism. 

Storytelling   Ritual #137     I suggest that you pick a specific Sunday outside of the seasons of Lent/Easter and Advent/Christmas. The lectionary readings can be found on the website of the USCCB (click "readings" and a calendar will appear, click on the day and the reading for that day will appear).  If the parish you have chosen this exercise is not familiar with the communal celebration of the Anointing of the Sick, you may want to select readings that treat more explicitly the healing nature of the ministry of Jesus. This selection is to be made in accordance to the rules given in the Table of Liturgical Days.   In your homily apply the readings to the situation (sacrament of anointing) and integrate a catechesis on the sacrament.  Give whatever practical information that you think would be necessary and useful for this particular congregation. 

Anointing   Ritual #138-144   Do not duplicate the "General Intercessions" with the "Litany."   Bless the oil using "option A" Ritual #140, The Rites, p 824:  "God of all consolation, you chose and sent your Son..."

Meal Sharing   Ritual # 143-146  You do not need to type out the text of the Ordinary of the Mass or the Eucharistic Prayer or the prayers of the Communion Rite.  Indicate only those options you have chosen especially for this occasion.   Note that the Ritual gives several options for this Mass that are not printed in most editions of the Sacramentary.

Commissioning  Ritual #147-148   You may wish to include additional options,  such as a reception in the parish hall for those who were anointed.

05 September 27  Theology of Illness and Suffering
Before the Class:  Read Charles W. Gusmer.  And You Visited Me: Sacramental Ministry to the Sick and the Dying pp 139-171.  Review history of the Church's ministry to the sick and dying with special attention to period #8.  If you have time, read the sections on the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick in the Code of Canon Law and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
During Class:  We will discuss the Rite of Anointing especially the Apostolic Constitution introducing  the Rite.   "Pelegroso" as "Seriously.   Introduction to Liturgical Law. We will also discuss the readings and the theology of the mystery of suffering.
After Class:  Before midnight October 03, post  (Posting #5  Theology of Illness) an essay of 800-1000 words, write a "theology of suffering and illness".  You may approach the mystery from any aspect.  Why does God permit suffering?  Are there positive elements in sickness?  How do our sufferings "fill up what was lacking in Christ"?  What themes are available for a homilies on this topic?  (Course Outcome 1)

06 October 04  Ministry to the Sick and Dying
Before the Class:  Read Charles W. Gusmer.  And You Visited Me: Sacramental Ministry to the Sick and the Dying pp 172-202.
During Class:  We will view and discuss the video Caring With Faith:  Training Ministers to the Sick . Catholic Update Video, Order # V2071  ($39.95) St. Anthony Messenger Press 1-800-488-0488 www.AmericanCatholic.org
After Class:  Before midnight October 17,  (Posting #6  Ministry to the Sick: Guidelines) post a list of five to ten "ministry guidelines" -- things that you consider important in your own ministry to the sick or things that you would make the major emphasis of a training session you might conduct for training parish ministers to the sick.  (Course Outcome 4)

00 October 11 No Class -- (Fr. Tom as at the Canon Law Society of America National Meeting)

07 October 18 Introduction to Part II:  Ministry to the Bereaved and the Dead
Before the Class:  Read Richard Rutherford, The Death of a Christian: The Order of Christian Funerals pp 1-74.
During Class:   Evaluate "Top Ten Lists" for visiting the sick.  Click here to view the list of the "top vote getters."  We will view and discuss  the video Training Bereavement Ministers:  Responding to Grief .  Stories 1, 2 and 3. Teaching segment.  Discussion.  Catholic Update Video, Order # V2091  ($39.95) St. Anthony Messenger Press 1-800-488-0488 www.AmericanCatholic.org
After Class:  Before midnight October 24, (Posting #7 Experience: Ministry to the Dead/Bereaved)   post an essay of 600-1000 words describe an experience in which you came into contact with the church's ministry to the dead and the bereaved.  Perhaps describe the funeral of a relative or close friend.  Was the ministry of the church helpful in this situation? (Course Outcome 1)

08 October 25 History of Attitudes and Practices Regarding the Dead
Before the Class:  Read Richard Rutherford. The Death of a Christian: The Order of Christian Funerals  pp 75-153.
During Class:  We will discuss the history of the Church's ministry to the dying and the bereaved using the notes on my website Chapter 20 Summary History of Funerals and the succeeding chapters in this history series.
After Class:  Before midnight November 07, post  (Posting #8  History of Funerals) using the ten categories of the historical grid, outline the history of ministry to the dead and bereaved.  Make one or two significant statements in each of the ten divisions of the grid.  So that the final grid can be printed on one page, each of the ten entries is to contain 30 words or less.  It is important that no entry exceed 30 words or three typed lines.  This not only allows the grid to be printed on one page, but more importantly it forces you to judge and decide which are the most important elements of this history. (Course Outcome 1)

00 November 01  No Class -- Solemnity of All Saints

09 November 08 The Rites for the Bereaved and the Dead
Before the Class:  Read  Order of Christian Funerals (The page numbers given here are those in the study edition of The Rites published by the Liturgical Press, 1990) pp 909-1118 [This is a long reading assignment, 210 pages; but much of this is repetition.]  Read especially the General Introduction #1- 49 (pp 924-938) and the original Roman text of the General Introduction #1-15 (pp1108-1116) and the introductions to each of the rites. Be sure to read the Rite for Funerals for Children and note the "Prayers for an child who died before Baptism," # 253, which are important for the concept of Limbo.
During Class:  We will review the postings on the "History of Ministry to the Dead and Bereaved."  And we will discuss the theology of death found in the current ritual and discussion of how to prepare and plan the funeral liturgies.  See also:  Structure and Elements of a Liturgical Rite
After Class:  Before midnight November 14  (Posting #9 Funeral Script) post  your script for a funeral liturgy.  Imagine a particular situation [e.g. death of a child; death of an elderly person; a man killed in a traffic accident; etc];  describe the situation.  Select texts for the wake, the transfer of the body to the church, the Mass of Christian burial, the prayers at the grave side.  You may creatively adapt these rituals to fit the circumstances of your example.  Include the full text of the funeral homily which will incorporate the key elements of your "theology of death".  (Course Outcome 2)

10 November 15 Theology of Death and Dying
Before the Class:  Read Richard Rutherford. The Death of a Christian: The Order of Christian Funerals pp 160-214.  If you have time, read the sections on funerals in the Code of Canon Law and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 
During Class:  We will review and discuss your postings and especially your funeral homilies.  I will speak on the notes I have posted on the web at Chapter 31 Mystery of Death
After Class:  Before midnight November 28,  (Posting #10 Theology of Death ) post an essay of 800-1000 words in which your present a "Theology of Death".  (e.g. Why do we have to die?)  You may approach the mystery from any aspect.  List themes available for a homilies on this topic.  (Course Outcome 1)

00 November 22 No Class -- Thanksgiving Day

11 November 29 Ministry to the Bereaved and the Dead
Before the Class:  Read Richard Rutherford's The Death of a Christian: The Order of Christian Funerals pp 215-268.
During Class:  Discussion of the postings:  "Theology of Death."   I will distribute an example of a parish funeral planning program.  We will then view the video Training Bereavement Ministers:  Funeral Planning. Catholic Update Video, Order # V2092  ($39.95) St. Anthony Messenger Press  phone 1-800-488-0488.
After Class:  Before midnight December 05 , post  (Posting #11 Ministry to the Bereaved: Guidelines) a list of ten things that you consider important in your own ministry to the bereaved or things that you would make the major emphasis of a training session you might conduct for training parish ministers to the bereaved.   Before midnight December 05  (Posting #12 not graded course survey) Take the course survey on ANGEL (Course Outcome 4)

12 December 06 Conclusions to the Course
Before the Class:  Read Richard Rutherford. The Death of a Christian: The Order of Christian Funerals pp 269-291.   Review my notes in Chapter f53 Bereavement Ministry
During Class:  We will review and evaluate the "Top Ten Lists for Bereavement Ministers".  Review the course.  Formulate conclusions.  Process comments.  Written evaluation for Saint Meinrad administration.

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Participants
Fall Semester 2007

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© Copyright: Tom Richstatter, Franciscan Province of St. John the Baptist, Cincinnati Ohio, Order of Friars Minor. All Rights Reserved.  This page was created by Fr. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M.  Every effort has been, and is being made, to acknowledge sources when the ideas are not my own.  Any failure to comply with the United States Copyright Act (Title 17, United States Code) will be corrected immediately should I become aware of it.  This site was updated on 02/03/08 .  Your comments on this site are welcome at webmaster2@tomrichstatter.org.