Recovering the Riches of Anointing: A Study of the Sacrament of the Sick

Recovering the Riches of Anointing is a collection of the papers presented at an international symposium sponsored by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) as part of a long-term exploration of topics of theological and pastoral concern in pastoral care of the sick. This book looks at the anointing of the sick from the vantage point of theology, history, and canon law.

Since Vatican II the training and commissioning of lay Eucharistic ministers has enabled the sick and dying to receive the nourishment of Christ's body and blood regularly in their confinement at home or an institution. The sacraments of penance and the anointing of the sick, however, have become less and less available as the number of ordained priests in chaplaincy is decreasing. In response to this pastoral problem Bishop Richard J. Sklba, auxiliary bishop of Milwaukee, suggested that the NACC gather theologians together to explore the history and practice of this sacrament and other rituals in the rich tradition of the Church. Thus the papers concerning this particular sacramental ministry were written and delivered at this conference.

Recovering the Riches of Anointing will be helpful for professional ministers of pastoral care; professional pastoral, liturgical, and sacramental theologians; and those engaged in pastoral ministry formation.

Chapters and contributors are Introduction," by Kevin Tripp and Genevieve Glen, OSB; "The Paschal Mystery: The Intersection of Ecclesiology and Sacramental Theology in the Care of the Sick," by Susan K. Wood, SCL; "Anointing of the Sick and the Forgiveness of Sins," by Peter E. Fink, SJ; "The Practice of Anointing and the Development of the Doctrine," by Michal Drumm; "The Development of Sacramental Doctrine in the Church: Theory and Practice," by Kevin Irwin; "Ministers and Rites for the Sick and Dying: Canon Law and Pastoral Options," by John M. Huels, OSM; and "Going Forth in the Spirit: The Road Before Us," by Genevieve Glen, OSB

Genevieve Glen, OSB, is oblate director and a member of the retreat staff at the Abbey of St. Walburga in Virginia Dale, Colorado. She has written and lectured extensively on liturgical theology and spirituality.

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Susan K. Wood, SCL, is chair of the department of theology at Marquette University. Active in ecumenical work, she serves on the U.S. Lutheran–Roman Catholic Dialogue, the U.S. Roman Catholic–Orthodox Theological Consultation, the conversation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Baptist World Alliance, and the International Lutheran–Roman Catholic Dialogue. She is an associate editor of Pro Ecclesia and serves on the editorial advisory board of the journal Ecclesiology. She is the author of Sacramental Orders (2000), and editor of Ordering the Baptismal Priesthood: Theologies of Lay and Ordained Ministry (2003) both published by Liturgical Press.

Monsignor Kevin W. Irwin has been on the faculty of The Catholic University of America for over thirty years, where he held the Walter J. Schmitz Chair of Liturgical Studies (2000–2015), served as Dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies (2005–2011), and is currently an Ordinary Research Professor. Msgr. Irwin has published eighteen books on liturgy and sacraments.

Genevieve Glen, OSB, is a contemplative nun of the Abbey of St. Walburga in northern Colorado. She is a retreat director, composer of hymn texts, poet, and essayist. She writes regularly on prayer and Scripture for Give Us This Day and is the author of By Lamplight: A Book of Biblical Reflections and Sauntering Through Scripture: A Book of Reflections published by Liturgical Press.