Anointing
Part 1 Introduction

Chapter 12 Introduction to
12:639 Ministry to the Sick, Dying and Bereaved

This page contains the general introductory materials for the elective course 12:639 Ministry to the Sick, Dying and Bereaved, taught at Saint Meinrad School of Theology, August-December 2007.  The general introduction to my courses and teaching method can be found at Chapter d12  General Introduction To Fr. Tom's Courses  Please study the general page first, especially if this is your first course with me. 

Rational

1.  "What is the shortest verse in the Bible?"  This is often a trivia question in parlor games.  However, the verse itself is far from trivia; it gives us key insight into Jesus, and thus, into God.  (John 11:35)

2.  "Jesus wept."  When we read the Gospels, on nearly every page we find Jesus, healing, caring, compassionate -- even raising the dead to life.    And, after rising from the dead, "Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.' After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.' " (John 20:19-21).

3.  "A little bit of nice covers a whole lot of dumb."  In my forty years of training men and women for ministry, I have found this general principle verified.  

4.  Suffering and death are among the greatest mysteries of life and faith.  In this course we want to explore these mysteries so that (1) we are more knowledgeable of them and more comfortable in their presence -- so that (2) we can assist others who are confronted with these mysteries; and (3) help form others for this ministry.

5.  First of all, let's get acquainted. 

21. Tell us something about yourself.
22. At what stage are you in your professional theological education?
23. What is your experience of ministry to the sick, the dying, and the bereaved?
24. What are your goals and objectives for this course?

6.  The Course falls logically into two parts:  Ministry to the Sick and Dying, and Ministry to the Dead and the Bereaved.  Each part of the course will have six focus areas:  1) Experience, 2) History, 3) The Rites, 4) Liturgical Planning, 5) Ministry and 6) Theology.

7.  Reflecting on our experience [1 experience] we will exploring the mystery [6 Mystery], according to the principle Lex Orandi, we will examine the Church's prayer [3 Rites].  This prayer and ministry evolved over time [2 History].  We can test our understanding of the Rites by critique, discussion, and ritual planning [4 Plan a Rite with homily].  We can test our understanding of the mystery by examining our ministry in these situations and by planning how we would help others prepare for this ministry [5 Ministry].  

8.  I would like to incorporate our findings and conclusions into my website so we might be able to refer back to this material and so that other minister may profit from our work this semester. 

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My Background For Teaching This Course

1.  During my 40 years of priestly ministry I have had many positive experiences with the rituals of Anointing and Funerals.

2.  Fr. P.-M. Gy, O.P. my Doctor Father and my thesis director, was one of the principal authors of both of these Rituals.

3.  I have published widely in these areas.

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Notes on the Reading Assignments

1.  The primary "source" is the Church's own prayer.

2.  The Collegeville series on the revised rites remains one of the key sources for the understanding of these rites.  

3.  The students are to be familiar with those sections of the Documents of Vatican II, the Code of Canon Law, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church which pertain to the Sacrament of Anointing and the Rite of Funerals. 

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Recommended Reading

1.  Beverly S. Gordon.  Toward Acceptance:  Prayers for Dealing With Chronic Illness and Disability.  St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1991 ISBN # 0-8716-167-1 Paper. $3.95.

2.  Susan Borrelli.  With Care:  Reflections of a minister to the sick.  Liturgical Training Publications, Archdiocese of Chicago, 1980 $1.90.

3.  Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M.  Would You Like to be Anointed:  Reflections of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.  St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1987 ISBN # 0-86716-060-8.

4.  James Empereur, S.J.  Prophetic Anointing:  God's Call to the Sick, the Elderly, and the Dying.  Michael Glazier, INC, 1982.  ISBN # 0-89453-233-2.

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Key Issues

Key issues related to the Sacrament of Anointing
1.  How do you view the "person"?  What is illness?  What is healing?
2.  Who may receive the sacrament?  How sick does one have to be?  What kind of illness?
3.  Who may lead the sacramental celebration?  Why?
4.  Regarding the BRK shape:  Who is addressed?  What is remembered?  What is asked for?
5.  What are the necessary (essential) elements of the sacramental ritual?

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Summary of Course Assignments

Part One:  Ministry to the Sick and Dying

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Part Two:  Ministry to the Dead and Bereaved

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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 10/07/08 .  Your comments on this site are welcome at tomrichs@psci.net.