Greetings to all from Liturgy Brisbane.
* This issue offers a range of articles and documents dedicated to the Pastoral Care of the Sick.
Resources for rituals associated with the Pastoral Care of the Sick are also offered.
* This edition of LitEd also sets out the newly-released books and digital resources from Liturgy Publications for the 2025 liturgical year.
*Finally, there is some information about upcoming workshops to be presented by Liturgy Brisbane in October and November 2024.
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The following words, written by Caitlin Sica for the McGrath Institute for Church Life blog, set the scene for the articles in this issue.
"For many, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is the least utilized and least understood of the seven sacraments. It is a sacrament of healing, and therefore, can be received multiple times and at various stages in a person’s life. It is not only for those who are in danger of imminent death, but also for those whose sickness might lead to death, are of old age, or are about to undergo a serious operation (CCC, §1513–1515).
Healing, of both the body and the soul, was at the heart of Christ’s earthly ministry. Yet despite his countless miracles, Jesus did not physically heal every person suffering from illness and disease. How are we to make sense of this?
Through his life, Jesus transforms our understanding of suffering by taking on our infirmities. “On the Cross Christ took upon himself the whole weight of evil and took away the ‘sin of the world,’ of which illness is only a consequence. By his Passion and Death on the Cross Christ has given a new meaning to suffering: it can henceforth configure us to him and unite us with his redemptive Passion” (CCC, §1505).
Illness and suffering have, and always will be, a part of earthly existence; but death does not have the final say. By the power of the Cross, we have been given the promise of the Resurrection, the hope of new life. Christ’s healing ministry, therefore, does not end when he ascends to heaven, but it is carried on through the sacraments he entrusts to his Church. Christ wants to continue to heal and comfort us through the Anointing of the Sick. Sometimes this sacrament will result in miraculous healings; but even if there is no physical healing, there will always be a radical healing which the eye cannot yet see—that of the soul. This is the primary effect of the sacrament—that the individual be united to the Passion of Christ; have the strength, peace, and courage to endure his or her suffering in a Christ-like manner; be freed from sin; and be prepared to pass into eternal life (CCC, §1532).
And so, the individual receiving the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is called to exhibit the virtue of hope. This virtue is nourished through prayer and the graces of the sacraments. Those witnessing the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick are also called to practice hope, for “it affords us joy even under trial” (CCC, §1820). Indeed, these “sacramental celebrations with and for the sick, [are] a source of strength amid pain and weakness, hope amid despair, and as an occasion of joyful encounter” not only for the individual but for the Body of Christ (Christifideles Laici, 54)."
If you have any questions about the rites of the Pastoral Care of the Sick, please don't hesitate to contact us at Liturgy Brisbane.
Blessings and very best wishes from all of us.
* This issue offers a range of articles and documents dedicated to the Pastoral Care of the Sick.
Resources for rituals associated with the Pastoral Care of the Sick are also offered.
* This edition of LitEd also sets out the newly-released books and digital resources from Liturgy Publications for the 2025 liturgical year.
*Finally, there is some information about upcoming workshops to be presented by Liturgy Brisbane in October and November 2024.
-----------------------------
The following words, written by Caitlin Sica for the McGrath Institute for Church Life blog, set the scene for the articles in this issue.
"For many, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is the least utilized and least understood of the seven sacraments. It is a sacrament of healing, and therefore, can be received multiple times and at various stages in a person’s life. It is not only for those who are in danger of imminent death, but also for those whose sickness might lead to death, are of old age, or are about to undergo a serious operation (CCC, §1513–1515).
Healing, of both the body and the soul, was at the heart of Christ’s earthly ministry. Yet despite his countless miracles, Jesus did not physically heal every person suffering from illness and disease. How are we to make sense of this?
Through his life, Jesus transforms our understanding of suffering by taking on our infirmities. “On the Cross Christ took upon himself the whole weight of evil and took away the ‘sin of the world,’ of which illness is only a consequence. By his Passion and Death on the Cross Christ has given a new meaning to suffering: it can henceforth configure us to him and unite us with his redemptive Passion” (CCC, §1505).
Illness and suffering have, and always will be, a part of earthly existence; but death does not have the final say. By the power of the Cross, we have been given the promise of the Resurrection, the hope of new life. Christ’s healing ministry, therefore, does not end when he ascends to heaven, but it is carried on through the sacraments he entrusts to his Church. Christ wants to continue to heal and comfort us through the Anointing of the Sick. Sometimes this sacrament will result in miraculous healings; but even if there is no physical healing, there will always be a radical healing which the eye cannot yet see—that of the soul. This is the primary effect of the sacrament—that the individual be united to the Passion of Christ; have the strength, peace, and courage to endure his or her suffering in a Christ-like manner; be freed from sin; and be prepared to pass into eternal life (CCC, §1532).
And so, the individual receiving the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is called to exhibit the virtue of hope. This virtue is nourished through prayer and the graces of the sacraments. Those witnessing the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick are also called to practice hope, for “it affords us joy even under trial” (CCC, §1820). Indeed, these “sacramental celebrations with and for the sick, [are] a source of strength amid pain and weakness, hope amid despair, and as an occasion of joyful encounter” not only for the individual but for the Body of Christ (Christifideles Laici, 54)."
If you have any questions about the rites of the Pastoral Care of the Sick, please don't hesitate to contact us at Liturgy Brisbane.
Blessings and very best wishes from all of us.
Articles
The Anointing of the SickVery Rev Tony Chiera explores the human experience of illness and suffering, looks to the response of Jesus and the Church as the context for the sacrament of anointing, and identifies some pastoral challenges and opportunities for this sacrament.
ACCOMPANIMENT Je te prends par la mainRev Dr Tom Elich explores the liturgical question of whether and in what circumstances we may celebrate the sacraments of Penance, Anointing and Viaticum with those who are choosing Voluntary Assisted Dying, and whether and how we may celebrate a Catholic funeral for them.
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Rituals of Blessing for the SickThis extract from the Book of Blessings offers rituals for the Blessing of the Sick. It includes ritual texts for the blessing of adults who are sick followed by blessings for children who are sick. Options are given for these blessings to be used by a priest, deacon, or layperson .
Liturgy in Nursing HomesElizabeth Harrington, Jeanette Smythe, Ursula O’Rourke SGS examine the celebration of liturgy in hospitals and nursing homes, and highlight the need for formation (of chaplains, pastoral care staff and volunteers, parish clergy, lay communion ministers) and resources to provide rites for use in pastoral care.
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Documents from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
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To Witness and to Accompany with Christian Hope
A document endorsed by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference in 2023, offered as a service to those who are called to attend to the spiritual and pastoral needs of patients who access or seek to access services that are designed to terminate a person’s life. 
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Companion Guide
This is a companion guide to reading and using the document To Witness and to Accompany with Christian Hope produced by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. This resource comprises seven sections which cover both a summary of the document and tools for continued reflection and ongoing learning and formation for relatives, friends, pastoral carers, healthcare workers and ordained ministers.
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2025 Annual Publications - Hard Copy and Digital - Now Available!
*Click on the images below for more information*
PRINTED PUBLICATIONS FOR THE 2025 LITURGICAL YEAR
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DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS FOR THE 2025 LITURGICAL YEAR
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Resources for Pastoral Care of the Sick
ONLINE COURSE
PRINT PUBLICATIONS
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Upcoming Workshops in Brisbane
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October 2024 |
November 2024 |
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Liturgical Celebration Folders
These beautiful presentation folders are to be used for special Masses, sacramental rites, weddings, anointings, funerals and the like.
There are three colours to choose from in either a celtic or a freehand gold embossed on the cover. Both cross types are available on all three colours.
Leather covers, three-ring binder inserts.
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Contact Us |
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Other images from Unsplash.com and Pixabay.com. Used under license. Full terms and conditions.
Other images from Unsplash.com and Pixabay.com. Used under license. Full terms and conditions.