Roman Catholicism

Largest branch of Western Christianity

Separated from Protestant Christianity during Reformation of the 16th century
Beliefs that separate Catholics from their reformed brethren:

Role of tradition in addition to Scripture

Belief in 7 Sacraments

Existence of Purgatory

Communion of Saints

Tradition
Scripture does not stand alone must be interpreted only by the Church
Anointing the Sick is the most important interpretation

Sacraments
sacraments are outward signs or symbols instituted by Jesus
Provide grace for believers at critical stages of life:
-birth (baptism)
-coming into adulthood (Eucharist and Reconciliation)
-coming of age (Confirmation)
-mature vocation in life (marriage or Holy Orders)
-End of life (Anointing the Sick)
Sacraments Contd
Can also be defined as ritualized meeting between God and humans
Powerful symbols that bring about the spiritual reality which they symbolize
Purgatory
Purification to achieve the necessary holiness to enter heaven i.e. repenting for sins
Catholics believe in levels of sin
-Venial sin: weakens but does not destroy ones relationship with God. Ex: using foul language
-Mortal sin: does break ones relationship to God. ex: murdering ones neighbor

Forgiveness of sins
Mortal Sin forgiven through Sacrament of Reconciliation (confessionals) or perfect sorrow and
repentance for sin
Venial sins forgiven through same two means and by imperfect sorrow
Purgatory Contd
Purgatory also provides a place for ordinary person who may not have the faith of a great saint,
but who does not deserve Hell
State of Purgatory =Heaven
Catholic prayers for the dead helps the deceased through Purgatory and into Heaven

Communion of Saints
The spiritual union of the members of the Christian Church, living and the dead, those on earth,
in heaven, and for those who are in that state of purification
Members help each other get to Heaven
Includes the Church Triumphant (Saints in Heaven)
Church Suffering (souls in Purgatory)
Church Militant (Church here on Earth)
The Earliest Traditions
Passion narratives were earliest part of the Gospels, they stress the reality and redemptive value
of the suffering and death of Jesus
Suffering and death have a value in Christian view of the world
Living life in imitation of Jesus and Baptism to join themselves to the suffering, death, and
resurrection of Jesus
Earliest Traditions Contd
Early church preferred that a new believer be baptized by:
going down 3 steps (symbolizing Jesus 3 days in the tomb)

 into a pool of blessed water (symbolizing chaos, death and need for a new creation)
being immersed 3 times then ascending 3 steps (symbolizing Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
Contd
Person to be baptized wore white garments to symbolize a sign of new life
One could be baptized by pouring water on forehead when immersion is life threatening or
impractical
Anointing the sick with holy oil so that the prayers will help them spiritually and bodily
Priests anoints the sick person to join his suffering to that of Jesus

Death in Dark & Middle Ages

Death was an omnipresent fact of existence

A great deal of emphasis was placed on the fear one should have at the Last Judgment.

This fear is illustrated by the Medieval hymn Dies Irae (Day of Wrath) which stresses need
& impossibility of being prepared as possible for the judgment
Comfort with dealing with death

Relics (bones, prayer books, or clothing of the saint) were venerated (glorified)

Relics were associated with saints, holy people who assumed to be in Heaven praying for
the people on Earth

Veneration of relics shows comfort w/ presence and care of deceased.

For sick or dying, there has been a sacrament presently known as the Sacrament of
Anointing the Sick

Sacrament of Anointing the Sick

At diverse times in Church history, went under various names (holy oil, unction (sacred
anointing) of the sick, blessing of consecrated oil, unction of God, office (in the sacrament) of
the unction.

Purpose is to help dying person join their death to that of Jesus

Renamed Extreme Unction during late 1100s for one of two reasons:

It would be the extreme or final anointing of a persons earthly life

It was the last in a series of anointings for a person (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy
Orders, etc)
Saints

Multiple Saints were venerated as patron saint of death and dying during Dark & Middle Ages:

Mary: Mother of Jesus

Saint Anne: Grandmother of Jesus

Stephen: First martyr

Joseph

Martha: sister of Lazarus

Archangel Michael

Magi from Mathews Gospel

Communion of Saints

There was always a consciousness not only of death, but of a saint to help. This is an indicator of
what was called the Communion of Saints.

One would have Mass celebrated for them and then would be buried in sacred ground.

Sacred ground could be denied to those found to have died in open and flagrant sin

Changes made for care of the sick and dying

o Having two separate rituals. One for the sick and one for the dying
o Both aspects of the sacrament could be celebrated privately or communal
o The sacraments for old age
o Deacons as primary ministers of the sacrament
Changes made for care of the sick and dying
o Spouse of a roman catholic allowed to be buried in a catholic cemetery
o The burden of denying suicide victims in consecrated ground
A typical roman catholic death and burial

Preparations for Anointing of the sick

o Once one is aware of sickness they ask priest for anointing of the sick.
o Priest arrives bringing

Holy oil

Eucharist

A Stole

o Priest gives Confessions and grant absolution before the anointing of the sick
Anointing of the sick
o Anointing of the sick takes place in large public room that consist of

Temporary altar with a white cloth upon it and a crucifix

Beeswax candles

The holy oils

A bible

The ritual book for anointing the sick

Anointing of the sick

Begins with prayers and bible readings
Priest will then bless the oils and anoint the ill patient on the forehead and the palm of her hands
o Priest will give the sick patient the Eucharist

If patient sickness continues

o Priest will bring Eucharist once a month and provide opportunity for confession and
spiritual direction
o May receive anointing of the sick regularly from the priest
The patience death seems imminent
o The priest will perform the Commendation of the Dying

Sub-ritual to the anointing of the sick

Performed if death is forthcoming

Commendation of the dying

o Give absolution without the need for private confession
o Sacraments are only for the living

If Unsure if patients alive church will celebrate a conditional sacrament

o Dying Patient will be anointed on the forehead and palms of the hand
Commendation of the dying
o If patient is still alive she will receive communion called Holy Viaticum
o Records kept in a special bookthe Sacramental Registry,
The death of the patient
o Once the patient dies the priest consoles the family
o Then make arrangements for the funeral
o Local pastor determined of the dead was a practical catholic and can be buried by the
catholic church
Burial
o There is a Vigil (wake service) celebrated the evening before the dead will be buried

It has an official text yet Its a sacramental

Call to prayer and bible readings

A reflection of the Christian meaning of death

Should be very clear that people are praying for the decease not to the
decease

Burial
o Next morning family and friends visit the funeral home
o Body transported to the church for Funeral Mass

Marked by celebration that the deceased is with God

Church stress that loss is temporary

Use white vestments as a sign of rejoicing in new life

Funeral mass
o Priest sprinkles holy water on the casket and covers it with a white cloth to recall the
deceased baptism

On the day of her baptism the deceased was clothed with Christ. At the time
of the resurrection may she join him in eternal life

o At the end of the mass Priest say special prayer for the deceased
Cemetery
o There will be a consecration of the grave, asking Gods grace of eternal rest
o Everyone returns to the designated family member home

Priest moderates a discussion of the deceased for any unfinished

business

o The deceased will have an immediate personal judgment after death.