Sick
Part 2 History
Chapter 22 The Patristic Period [400-799 CE]
Secular History |
Church History |
Ministry to the Sick and Dying |
Secular History
1.
Church History
1. The concept of "sacrament" is still "fluid." Our "seven" are not determined until 1150 CE (Peter Lombard).
2. Sacraments were not administered to those in the Order of Catechumens or the Order of Penitence.
Ministry to the Sick
416 CE The earliest evidence of oil being used by priests to anoint the sick is found in a letter (from 416 C.E.) of Pope Innocent I to Bishop Decent of Gubbio: "Your next question concerns the text from the epistle of the blessed apostle James: Is any among you sick? Let him call for elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. This must undoubtedly be accepted and understood as referring to the oil of Chrism, prepared by the bishop, which can be used for anointing not only by priests but also by all Christians whenever they themselves or their people are in need of it. The questions whether the bishop can do what undoubtedly can be done by priests seems superfluous, for priests are mentioned simply because bishops are prevented by other occupations and cannot visit the sick. But if a bishop is in a position to do so and thinks it proper, he, to whom it belongs to prepare the Chrism, can himself without hesitation visit the sick to bless them and anoint them for it is of the nature of a sacrament. How could one think that one kind of sacrament should be allowed to those to whom the rest is denied."
The community leader (overseer / bishop?) presides at the assemblies; therefore, presides at all liturgical celebrations, including healing. --- Note what happens when overseer cannot preside at all assemblies, e.g. Eucharist. Presbyters (parish council?) authorized (ordained) to preside in absence of the overseer (bishop).
Community leader blessed oil used as medicine taken home (by the baptized) and applied to where it hurt. Or they drank it for internal ills.
The emphasis is on the prayer of the church more than on the oil.
ANGEL postings
Anointing is for the sick. Oil prepared by bishop. All Christians may use oil
for anointing when need demands (Innocent). Not for
penitents or catechumens because
viewed as "kind of sacrament" (Innocent). For "health of body and remission of
sins" (Caesarius). Anointing both at home and at Church. Priests assisted by
deacons praying over. Eucharist in conjunction with anointing. Efficacy of oil
is related to its blessing. Application often to ailing body member.
"Kind of a Sacrament." Oil blessed by Bishop. Application of oil by lay,
presbyter, or bishop. Remedy for body, mind, spirit. Baptism and Confession
before reception.
Edict of Milan - emancipation of Christians -church of masses less fervor
Pope Innocent, Rome (416) interprets James: Who? Faithful in community, emphasis
on blessing oil of chrism by bishop (divine power in), more important that who
uses it) elevated to category of sacrament, emphasis on Eucharist and anointing
for healing instead of pagan practices
Hagiographical (sermons and letters) documents of this period provide more
specific information of who are the recipients (faithful in good standing) and
who ministers (bishop, priests, and faithful). Anointing was encourage often and
quickly in order to counter the
widespread use of pagan magical remedies. These early texts tell us that
the oil blessed was sacred and a remedy mainly for bodily healing, but the
spiritual aspects as related to sin were beginning to form.
Bishop blessed the oil with fixed formula. The baptized anointed. All the
faithful applied. Anointing individuals or communally during the Eucharist.
Wholeness remains as focus. Considered a "kind of sacrament".
blessing oil; invocation - holy spirit; preparation by bishop; lay anointings -
eucharist; self-application; fixed formulas/blessings; external/internal; only
to baptized
The oil, blessed only by a bishop, can be applied or consumed by the
faithful. The purpose becomes strengthening and return to wholeness of the body,
mind, and spirit. Anointing becomes paired with the Eucharist.
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