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thestickman
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Posted: Tue Mar 13th, 2007 08:41 pm |
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Regarding Catholics suffering from depression...
Can we receive this Sacrament?
NOTE: Edited to clarify the question, which was partly included in the message subject.
Last edited on Sat Mar 31st, 2007 01:23 am by
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CajunRick
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Posted: Tue Mar 13th, 2007 09:19 pm |
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thestickman wrote: Can we receive this Sacrament?
The Catechism gives us this instruction:
1511 The Church believes and confesses that among the seven sacraments there is one especially intended to strengthen those who are being tried by illness, the Anointing of the Sick:
This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by Mark, but is recommended to the faithful and promulgated by James the apostle and brother of the Lord.
1512 From ancient times in the liturgical traditions of both East and West, we have testimonies to the practice of anointings of the sick with blessed oil. Over the centuries the Anointing of the Sick was conferred more and more exclusively on those at the point of death. Because of this it received the name "Extreme Unction." Notwithstanding this evolution the liturgy has never failed to beg the Lord that the sick person may recover his health if it would be conducive to his salvation.
1513 The Apostolic Constitution Sacram unctionem infirmorum, following upon the Second Vatican Council, established that henceforth, in the Roman Rite, the following be observed:
The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill by anointing them on the forehead and hands with duly blessed oil - pressed from olives or from other plants - saying, only once: "Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up."
The Code of Canon Law gives more specific instruction:
THOSE ON WHOM THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK IS TO BE CONFERRED
Can. 1004 §1. The anointing of the sick can be administered to a member of the faithful who, having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age.
§2. This sacrament can be repeated if the sick person, having recovered, again becomes gravely ill or if the condition becomes more grave during the same illness.
Can. 1005 This sacrament is to be administered in a case of doubt whether the sick person has attained the use of reason, is dangerously ill, or is dead.
Can. 1006 This sacrament is to be conferred on the sick who at least implicitly requested it when they were in control of their faculties.
Can. 1007 The anointing of the sick is not to be conferred upon those who persevere obstinately in manifest grave sin.
I have highlighted the appropriate instructions above, "those who are being tried by illness," "those who are seriously ill," and he who "begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age." The illness may be physical, psychological, or emotional. It may be impending major surgery or an ongoing condition such as frailty from old age, diabetes, or depression.
Judgment as to the seriousness of the condition is left to the person requesting the sacrament, but the priest would have the right to refuse the sacrament to a person who's illness is obviously not serious. If you requested anointing because you had a cold, the priest would rightfully refuse.
Anointing is also not appropriate for a very young child who has not attained the age of reason; however, it is appropriate for an elderly person suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's Disease, a person in a coma, or a person who otherwise cannot request the sacrament for himself but can be reasonably presumed to want the sacrament if he was able to request it.
So the answer to your question is yes, those who suffer from chronic mental or physical illnesses may receive the Anointing of the Sick. If the condition worsens, the sacrament may be received again. If the condition gets better and then worsens again, the person may receive the sacrament again.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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thestickman
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Posted: Tue Mar 13th, 2007 09:24 pm |
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Thank you for the informative reply!
Appreciate all your efforts in these forums
God Bless you
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Darlene
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Posted: Fri Mar 30th, 2007 11:33 pm |
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Not long ago, I attended Mass and afterward the priest asked if anyone wanted him to pray for their physical healing, specifically for colds and flu, since many were getting sick in the parish. Almost all who were present, approached the priest, and he layed hands on them. He had two candles that crossed each other (if I remember correctly). What does this mean? Also, I approached the priest and he laid hands on me. What is this kind of practice called? The priest did not use oil so I know it wasn't the anointing of the sick. Do priests lay hands on people for healing without oil often, or does this practice differ from priest to priest and parish to parish?
Darlene
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Sat Mar 31st, 2007 12:13 am |
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Darlene, since this thread is about the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, your question is not really a follow-up to the topic. However, I will provide the information you request, hoping that you will be more careful to stay on-topic in the future.
It appears that your question has to do with the custom of blessing throats on the feast day of St. Blaise, patron saint for diseases of the throat. You can read about him here. The last paragraph tells about the blessing with crossed candles.
David
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sat Mar 31st, 2007 01:22 am |
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David W. Emery wrote: It appears that your question has to do with the custom of blessing throats on the feast day of St. Blaise, patron saint for diseases of the throat. You can read about him here. The last paragraph tells about the blessing with crossed candles.
As a follow-up to David's post, the feast of St. Blaise is on February 3rd. February 2nd, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, is also known as Candlemas Day, and is traditionally the day on which candles are blessed. The blessed candles are then used the following day for the blessing of the throats.
As for laying hands, this is a common practice in all blessings. It is not required, but many priests will lay hands on the person being blessed, or "raise holy hands" over them. Jesus always used touch to heal, and the healing power of touch is amazing. And yes, it is not a sacramental anointing without the use of the Oil of the Sick and the proper formula for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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Candlemass
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Posted: Wed Feb 13th, 2008 02:16 am |
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| How would one know how to self evaluate their own depression? There are days I feel quite good, others just kind of gloomy, then there are times just reading something or a certain event can send me into a panic state. Basically what I'm saying is I really don't know what in the wide world of sports is wrong w/me!
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"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries."--1st Peter 4:3 NKJV
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CajunRick
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Posted: Wed Feb 13th, 2008 02:56 am |
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Candlemass wrote: How would one know how to self evaluate their own depression? There are days I feel quite good, others just kind of gloomy, then there are times just reading something or a certain event can send me into a panic state. Basically what I'm saying is I really don't know what in the wide world of sports is wrong w/me!
I'm not qualified to answer that question, but I believe as far as the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is concerned, if you are desparate enough to ask, you are ill enough to receive the sacrament. Discuss it with your pastor.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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Candlemass
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Posted: Wed Feb 13th, 2008 03:31 am |
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| I just don't want to end up in a clinic again, or in lock down like I was in California, and I sure don't want to be on meds again! I also don't want to envoke the Church for a special sacrament if I'm just having a pity party, so hard to judge my own heart. There are times I think I can handle this, I mean who wants to tell anyone in person they think there going crazy?!
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"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries."--1st Peter 4:3 NKJV
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CajunRick
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Posted: Wed Feb 13th, 2008 11:17 am |
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Candlemass wrote: I mean who wants to tell anyone in person they think there going crazy?!
Chemical imbalances cause many illnesses, physical, emotional, and mental. Why should taking medication be a problem? I remember hearing a TV shrink say once, "If you think you're crazy, it proves your not".
Jesus gave us the sacraments, not the Church. The Church is not the arbiter of who can receive them, and the Church cannot refuse the sacraments to those who are properly disposed to receive them. If you're willing to confess your sins to a priest, why would you feel ashamed to confess that you are struggling with mental health issues? Jesus is offering you the healing grace of the sacrament. The Church mereoy administers it. But neither Jesus nor his Body can help you unless you let them.
"Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find."
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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Candlemass
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Posted: Wed Feb 13th, 2008 12:17 pm |
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What's a mereoy? I'm so ignorant of Catholic termonology!
I see, if you think you are insane, you still have the ability of reason, ergo you can't be insane, but perhaps on your way. 
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"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries."--1st Peter 4:3 NKJV
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CajunRick
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Posted: Wed Feb 13th, 2008 05:10 pm |
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Candlemass wrote: What's a mereoy? I'm so ignorant of Catholic termonology!
Typo. Should have been "merely".
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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Candlemass
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Posted: Wed Feb 13th, 2008 05:17 pm |
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CajunRick wrote: Candlemass wrote: What's a mereoy? I'm so ignorant of Catholic termonology!
Typo. Should have been "merely".
Doh! 
____________________
"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries."--1st Peter 4:3 NKJV
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Kim M.
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Posted: Sat Feb 16th, 2008 01:58 am |
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Mark, have you looked into using light therapy?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_therapy
Does your depression last all year long?
How is your sleep? Do you sleep in complete darkness?
Last edited on Sat Feb 16th, 2008 02:00 am by Kim M.
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"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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Kim M.
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Posted: Sat Feb 16th, 2008 02:04 am |
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Exercise is also helpful.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-and-exercise/MH00043
I suffer from depression myself, and have found exercise especially helpful. You certainly have my sympathy!
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"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
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DaQuodJubes
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Posted: Sat Feb 16th, 2008 03:11 pm |
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Candlemass wrote: How would one know how to self evaluate their own depression? There are days I feel quite good, others just kind of gloomy, then there are times just reading something or a certain event can send me into a panic state. Basically what I'm saying is I really don't know what in the wide world of sports is wrong w/me!
Mark,
I've worked with a number of people who have depression--as a pastor, not a psychologist. I'm not qualified to evaluate you, nor would I do so over the internet. But you have said a lot of things on this forum which suggest to me that you have a disorder. It is nothing to be ashamed of. I think you should seek professional help. And find someone with real credentials. (I know a lot of pastors who consider themselves qualified because they got a master's degree--they are just wannabes). You may also look into finding a support group. I'm sure that you can find some forums or e-groups for depression support. Make sure they are moderated by someone with credentials.
Also read up on the subject. It will help you to understand your feelings, your mood swings, your addiction, and a lot more. There is a lot of stuff on the internet that can help (and a lot more that is bunk), here are a few good places to start:
http://www.dbsalliance.org
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-publication.shtml
http://www.depressionisreal.org/
A lot of people suffer from depression/Bi-Polar disorder. Some medicate it, some don't. No one will lock you up or force meds on you unless you are a danger to yourself or others.
You are in my prayers. I'll see if I can dig up any other good resources. And feel free to private message me if you have any questions.
Dan
____________________
God in His omnipotence could not give more,
in His wisdom He knew not how to give more,
in His riches He had not more to give,
than the Eucharist. - St. Augustine
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BodRod
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Posted: Sat Feb 16th, 2008 04:32 pm |
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Candlemass wrote: I just don't want to end up in a clinic again, or in lock down like I was in California, and I sure don't want to be on meds again! I also don't want to envoke the Church for a special sacrament if I'm just having a pity party, so hard to judge my own heart. There are times I think I can handle this, I mean who wants to tell anyone in person they think there going crazy?!
I am curious (That sounds better than nosey). Have you tried getting involved in something such as hobby group, a ministry, a service club, a musical group, square dancing, etc. etc. etc.? Sometimes involvement in an activity, outside one's self, helps.
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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Candlemass
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Posted: Sun Feb 17th, 2008 01:33 pm |
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| Square dancing? How depressing!
____________________
"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries."--1st Peter 4:3 NKJV
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Candlemass
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Posted: Sun Feb 17th, 2008 01:38 pm |
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| I appreciate everyone's input, I am doing some exorcizing lately, as far as professional help, I'm not working right now. Wich I'm sure is compounding the problem, too much time on my hands for counterproductive introspection.
____________________
"For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries."--1st Peter 4:3 NKJV
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Steven Barrett
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Posted: Sun Mar 9th, 2008 09:49 pm |
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To all my fellow Catholics and non-Catholics out there reading this: You are not alone. Repeat those words: You are not alone.
I've lived with, suffered from and wrestled with bouts of bipolar during various stages of my life. It pains me to use the expression "suffering" if I'm just describing a day-to-day manner of dealing with it, anymore than dealing with hypothyroidism, which I've had for almost fifty years.
Let's just say now that I'm "coping." Not in a melodramatic way, but getting by, and that's how I plan on keeping it after last year which was nothing less than a roller coaster ride through the floor-boards of hell and back and around, all while trying a to write a book about depression. (While the experience taught me a lot, I wouldn't recommend to anyone w/o seeking advice, if not outright permission!, from a top notch psychiatrist first.)
I survived, and as I said, not alone. There are lots of things that can derail a person living on the edge of a manic depressive episode, but if there's ever a real boulder to carry, it's the feeling of emotional and even physical loneliness among people you love and whom you also know with full confidence that they love you unconditionally. I can't adequately describe it but it's a gnawing feeling that simply drains the emotional and mental life out of you when it hits. Perhaps the closest way to describe it for a non-mentally ill person is to offer a comparison to how one normally feels at the onset of a bad cold coming on. Poof! No energy, no nothing and all you can do is reach for cold remedies, blanket and liquids.
Not entirely so with depression, esp. the manic kind. I've been blessed that some folks saw something funny last year in my writing and thank God (and out of respect for this individual's privacy, no names) told me to get to a doc pdq., which I did. I was blindsided, and it took a kindly observer the eagle eyes and quick kindness to give me a heads up. (Another person did that for me eons ago, but when I got help, it was more like a bandaid in comparison. Nevertheless, I'm still grateful for this old friend's alacrity.)
Today's psychiatric help is much better  and if we get the right meds, and that's a tricky matter, oh very tricky and dicey, and sound advice and a HEAPIN' TON OF LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING along the way -- NOT TO LEAVE OUT FAITH: THIS IS A HUGE, BIG HUGE MUST! -- we will overcome it.
The part about loneliness, that sickly and awful feeling total lonesomeness and abandoment has to be avoided or controlled as much as human possible. Because that's when the devil's going to dance. I love those lines from an old country song, "If the devil had an empty pocket, he'd have a ball in mind," well the same goes for a depressed mind as well. Believe me, I've been there when I felt like giving up all writing and woodworking and sitting back watching the History Channel, the talking heads and even Dr. Phil. It was hard watching EWTN as much as it was hard picking up a Bible and looking at the Psalms (which are super, absolutely super!). Why? Maybe it's a feeling of spiritual or "moral inadequacy" as if mentally paying for past sins and transgressions will eventually "pay off" and God will finally say enough like He did with Job. Talk about "name it, claim it/grab it" theology. ANd if you don't get quick results? That's another problem because then in this day of instant gratification, it's one more thing that could pull us back deeper into our dark holes.
Remember this about psalms: they were written by a shepherd boy/turned guerilla warrior--the original Hagannah! or Irgun!--and living on "the lam." Even when he later got to be king, well that's when, as Hillary would say, "the fun part" began. He had almost nothing, zero, compared to what we have nowadays to help rebuild our souls. Well, almost nothing because in later years, he could reach back and rec all what he said as a youth. Imagine his heartelt anxiety and share the genuine joy you'll find contained together in many psalms. Former Protestant readers problably know this better than I do and did before I got to be more familiar with them through my Protestant friends.
Here's the key to letting God work for you through the Psalms: Read 'em when you least want to. Treat them as you would some medicine you hate taking, but know the alternative is far, far, and possibly fatally far worse if you don't take them. If I'm overbearing here my apologies, but I'm trying hard to help prevent anybody avoid reaching that moment when extreme unction (Okay, I'm a pre-Vat II'er) becomes necessary.
As painful as depression is, and believe me, I know full well how painful it can be, there are plenty of steps and people who'll do wonders for you only for the asking. ANd when I say wonders, I'm speaking in conversational tones. Actually we know WHO does the wonderwork,but He does it through people who are qualified to help, create the meds, counsel us along, and provide us with the continual loving support we will always need.
Sorry to have gone on this long, but it's a very personal matter and even though I sometimes throw myself into activities, woodworking, or relig/political writing pell-mell, I can stop on a dime and get very intensely worked up and going because a person's soul and life are immeasurably of far greater value.
I've put together a listing of various mental health related agencies, some of which are Catholic, Protestant and secular which should be of help. Out of consideration for the Forum Moderators, I've decided to place it in my Yahoo.mail box. (I tried earlier to attach a copy of this list which I took from a backup file for my book and it didn't work. That's technology for us. Next step: Plan B, or better yet, Plan Y for Yahoo. Just drop me a line at spbarrett77@yahoo.com and I'll forward you a copy. I will check in on this periodically tonight. (However, I'll be out of state throughout much of tomorrow.) Luckily I was able to access a readable list from my flashdrive which I used to transfer files from an eMac I'd written much ofmy book on to an old IMac which was just replaced last week by my new and trusty PC. Hopefully, as H. BOgart told Claude Rains in Casablanca, it'll be the "beginning of a lovely relationship."
As for receiving "last rites," well, certainly, I agree with Cajunrick and the Church, but it should never have to even come within a hundred country miles of reaching that stage. This isn't to pass judgment on a particular case. Not at all, but we have so many, many people working in mental health agencies, etc.. and while I'll agree we can never have too many, the situation's well advanced over what it was almost 40 yrs ago when I had my first go around. Nevertheless, we must all remember, Jesus didn't come to heal the healthy. Oh no. He came for the vast REST, the Majority of us who aren't healthy or as healthy as we think or'd like to think we are. And, if we should ever come across somebody we know is acting out of synch, remember as Fr. Corapi ever so strongly, yet lovingly, reminds us, that is Jesus. Not for us to think we're Jesus, but Corapi wants us to see Jesus in others so we don't fall prey to delusions and sins of pride caused by Satan. And who introduced mental illness and when? Well, as a lot of us have heard, "Scripture tells us..."
For all my fellow "bipolars" and "depressives," I'm with you, my prayers are with you and my heart is with you. You are not alone. Again, YOU ARE NOT ALONE: AFTER ALL, EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN'T SEE HIM, HE CAN SEE YOU AND HE'S RIGHT BESIDE YOU TO SEE YOU THROUGH. NOT ALONE!
Last edited on Sun Mar 9th, 2008 11:07 pm by Steven Barrett
____________________
For anyone suffering from a mental illness or has a loved one with a mental illness, my book "Lead kindly Light: A Devotional For The Mentally Ill" might be of some help: http://www.lulu.com/ (Use search box at the top of page.)
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Didi
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Posted: Sun Mar 9th, 2008 11:26 pm |
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Steven Barrett wrote: As for receiving "last rites," well, certainly, I agree with Cajunrick and the Church, but it should never have to even come within a hundred country miles of reaching that stage.
Steven --
Anointing of the sick is different from receiving last rites. Anointing, as stated before, can be done for any serious illness or ongoing condition, prior to surgery, etc.
Last rites is for those who truly are near death, and they receive sacramentum exeuntium (the sacrament of those departing) as stated in the Catechism, CCC 1523.
One of the beauties of receiving the anointing of the sick is that it unites us in a special way to the passion of Christ, becoming "consecrated to bear fruit by configuration to the Savior's redemptive Passion. Suffering, a consequence of original sin, acquires a new meaning; it becomes a participation in the saving work of Jesus." CCC 1521
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Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1212 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Mar 10th, 2008 03:45 am |
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| Steven, so many of those I've known who were bi-polar didn't want help and certainly didn't want to take the meds they were given. They often try to self-medicate with alcohol/drugs that make them feel temporarily better until they peak and start downward. I commend you for getting the help you need and recognizing the problem for what it is. You will be a big help to others here who may be looking for answers. God bless
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Steven Barrett
Member
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Posted: Mon Mar 10th, 2008 05:43 am |
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Didi,
Thanks for correcting me about that. I sort of jumped the situation, didn't I? It's just that when it comes to depression no caution is too much. Indeed, some folks use the wrong "remedies," and I was no saint in that regard years ago when I was much younger.
Anointing the sick, holding a healing prayer session with people circled around the depressed individual with one hand on he or she is a also a very moving and encouraging means as well.
Steven
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For anyone suffering from a mental illness or has a loved one with a mental illness, my book "Lead kindly Light: A Devotional For The Mentally Ill" might be of some help: http://www.lulu.com/ (Use search box at the top of page.)
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