The following comes from a January 25 Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange news release:
The Most Rev. Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Orange will anoint ill patients with holy oil and bless the hands of caregivers with holy water brought from the consecrated grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, France; February 6, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Columban Church in Garden Grove. This grotto is the site of 18 appearances of Mary, the mother Jesus, to St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 and is well-known for the divine healing power of its waters, known as “Lourdes Water.” The Orange Chapter of the Order of Malta, the ancient Catholic religious order founded in 1050 AD will host this annual event.
“Caring for the sick and infirmed is the ministry we are all called to as Christians. As a society many of the dedicated people who care for the most vulnerable are not given the appreciation their service merits. I value the important commitment of caregivers to their ministry and look forward to blessing them with the healing water of Lourdes. I will also anoint several critically ill patients and pray for their spiritual and physical strength,” said Bishop Vann.
Unfortunately, many people will get anointed who have no real ailments at all. I suppose if someone is suffering from ‘dishpan hands’ that person will get anointed. Because the Sacrament of Extreme Unction was tinkered with, we now have all these abuses. People who are dying are no longer seen by a priest, so the entire purpose of the sacrament has changed.
“The Blessed Mother, converts atheists and pays hotel bills. If you want someone’s conversion, go to the Blessed Mother.” – Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
“The Blessed Mother is the only woman in the world who could look down at heaven for she held heaven in her arms.” – Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
Venerable Fulton J Sheen -The Blessed Virgin Mary – The Woman I Love – YouTube
https://youtu.be/TG5-RSevDBI
Our Lady of Lourdes………pray for us!
In most dioceses, this practice is full of abuses. Also, most priests are not available to anoint someone in case of an emergency. In many areas, the priests take off Sunday afternoon, and do not return until Tuesday evening. I hope no one dies during this period, as there are no priests around to do what Christ commanded them to do.