EXTREME UNCTION
The New Rite of Extreme Unction was promulgated on November 30, 1972. The New Rite of Extreme Unction is now called the “Anointing of the Sick,” which is to be administered to those who are seriously ill. The term “in danger of death” is avoided. The new rite addresses itself much more to the healing of illness rather than to the preparation for the hour of death. The new consecration of the oil and the thanksgiving for the oil contain many passages concerning physical recovery. The prayer for Satan’s expulsion is abolished. And no longer are the angels, Guardian Angels, the Mother of God and St. Joseph invoked.

THE TRADITIONAL FORM OF EXTREME UNCTION

The traditional form of Extreme Unction is:

►May the Lord forgive you by this holy anointing and His most loving mercy whatever sins you have committed by the use of your sight (hearing, sense of smell, sense of taste and power of speech, sense of touch, power to walk).

THE NEW FORM OF “ANOINTING OF THE SICK” (CALLED EXTREME UNCTION IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH)

• Through this holy anointing and His most loving mercy, may the Lord help you by the grace of the Holy Spirit (Penitent: Amen) so that when you have been freed from your sins, He may save you and in His goodness raise you up.

One can see that after the change the new form has acquired a considerably different emphasis. The emphasis is now on deliverance from illness. The fact that the new rite is called only “Anointing of the Sick” already suggests that one is to think of physical recovery. Consequently, the new rite is administered many times to the sick and elderly who are not in danger of death.

The new form is also ambiguous about when the forgiveness of sins is granted. The old form clearly indicated that the Lord is forgiving sins by this anointing. The new form mentions “when you have been freed of your sins,” which could mean sometime in the future.

The matter in the new rite has also been changed. Throughout the history of the Church, olive oil was the matter of the Sacrament of Extreme Unction. In the new rite, however, instead of olive

oil any other vegetable oil may be used. Instead of six anointings, only two are prescribed.

According to most theologians, the use of whatever vegetable oils one chooses renders the sacrament invalid. Not knowing whether the matter used in the New Rite is olive oil is enough to cause doubt.

Conclusion: The new rite of Extreme Unction is of doubtful validity.

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