A Necessary Tattoo

I was telling my Bible sharing group about hubby's Atrial Fibrillation.  I also told them that while he was in the Emergency Room, I heard the same question asked of each and every patient.  "Do you have any religious or cultural customs, we need to know about?"  

So as Catholics, we should respond, "Yes, I'm Catholic, I'd like to see a priest for the Anointing of the Sick." Every time you are going to be given anesthesia, you should be given this sacrament. 

We were wondering how we would convey that message if we were unable to speak.  Then we came upon the perfect solution.  We should have tattoo on our chests, "Call a Priest."  The tattoo should be placed above our hearts because the hospital personnel always place the stethoscope or electrodes around the heart.  For sure, they would see the tattoo and get the message.

What is Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick used to be called Last Rites.  Nowadays, many receive the sacrament and don't die.  In fact, the opposite.  The sacrament often brings spiritual and physical strength.  So "Last Rites," is hardly appropriate, is it?

Last Sunday, I attended Mass at St. Jude's, in Norfolk.  Monseigneur Peter Conley was the celebrant.  He did something, I have never seen him do, before.  He called up people to receive the Anointing of the Sick.

Remember that a sacrament is a sign to show Jesus Christ's blessings.  The Anointing of the Sick is a rite that Monseigneur Conley performed to convey God's grace upon the sick, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Many people came forward.  Quite a number were in wheel chairs, had canes, and crutches.  And some were brought up by others.  Some of these didn't look like they knew what was happening.

Yet, all!  Yes, all of them, visibly, woke up at the words, "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."  Then they followed the rite with eyes and hearts of the spirit.  The believed in their hearts, and they confessed with their lips.

I felt very blessed, myself, to just witness their faith.