Sick
Part 2 History
Chapter 24 Medieval Period [1200-1299 CE]
Secular History |
Church History |
Ministry to the Sick and Dying |
Secular History
"Medicine" was an "extreme remedy" in the Middle Ages. Question: What medicines were available to doctors at this time? What remedies did doctors employ? Amputation. Leaches and blood letting. Saint Francis of Assisi was having pain in his eyes and so finally the friars convinced him to go to the doctor. The doctor took iron ax heads and heated them red hot in a furnace and then pressed them to Francis' temples to draw the pain out of his eyes! Question, how sick would you have to be to go to the doctor?
This is the context for St. Thomas’ pastoral explanation: Extreme Unction as "spiritual medicine"
Church History
1. Scholastics develop a "Sacramental Theology" in which Sacraments are signs of grace and have SPIRITUAL EFFECTS: e.g. the forgiveness of sins. Baptism forgives Original Sin. Confession forgives Mortal Sin. Extreme Unction forgives what sin? - There were two schools of thought. The Dominicans said Extreme Unction forgives the temporal punishment due to sins. The Franciscan theologians said that Extreme Unction forgives venial sins. Today we see that this was a good insight: All sacraments take away sin. The Eucharist (the primary Sacrament) is the principal announcement of the Kingdom. Healing / Wholeness in mind, body, spirit.
Ministry to the Sick
Extreme Unction is the "Last Sacrament"
Extreme Unction forgives what sin? There were two schools of thought. The Dominicans said Extreme Unction forgives the temporal punishment due to sins. The Franciscan theologians said that Extreme Unction forgives venial sins
This reinforces the understanding as the priest (the one authorized to forgive sins) is the only minister of Extreme Unction
ANGEL postings
Further modifications to simplified rite. Order set for rite used until
Vatican II reforms – opening sprinkling, penance, three prayers at entrance to
house, anointing, and three prayers taken from visiting the sick.
'Penance, viaticum, anointing.' Ritual service less elaborate. A Sacrament for
the dying/at the point of death. Dominican/Franciscan debate as to its purpose
(which type of remnants/venial sin it forgives). Aquinas. Scotus.
Extreme unction taking shape, grace is forgiveness of sin & at times restoration
of health and bestowal of other goods, Peter Abelard - the last of all
sacraments the final consummation
Extreme Unction (anointing at or near death) was solidified in this period
mainly due to the scholastics of this period who theologized the spiritual
effects of sacraments, and the widespread practice that medicine was sought only
as a last resort.
Extreme Unction. Sacrament of dying. Lay anointing abandoned - exclusive to
Presbyters. Sacrament fell into
great disuse because of stole
fees and ritual length
(penance, viaticum, anointing). Divided schools of theology on principal effect
(sickness, remission of sins, dying, etc.)
Simplification; prayers (deathbed penance) removed; only penitential psalms and
litanies remain; distinction between visiting sick, anointing, viaticum
The sacrament prepares one for the beatific vision of death, implying a need for
the final remission of sin. The scholastics debate remission of venial sin or
the residual effects of sin. As preparation for the final penance, the sacrament
becomes extreme unction.
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