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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Sacraments & Laity Question Deacon Larry Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Question:

1. Can a non-Catholic (baptized), confined to a nursing home, receive the Annointing of the Sick and the Sacrament of Penance?

2. Is the proper gesture of the laity to bless oneself as the priest pronounces, "May Almight God have mercy on us ..." at the penitential rite? Or is this an option? The GIRM seems to be silent on this.

Thank you and continued blessings on your work.

Deacon Larry

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Rev. Mr. Lottier,

Usually non-catholics do not receive these sacraments.  Catholic ministers may administer them (and also Holy Communion) if the following conditions are present:

1.)  There is danger of death.  (or some other grave necessity determined by the ordinary)

2.)  A minister from the non-catholic's church is not available.

3.)  The non-catholic seeks the sacrament on his own accord.

4.)  He shows Catholic faith in the sacraments.

5.)  He is properly disposed.

(From Canon Law, can. 844 §4, also in the Catechism, n.1401)


If the gesture you mean is the Sign of the Cross at the penitential rite, yes you are correct it is not present in the current rite.  I think many people do it anyway because it was done in the Tridentine rite, and they don't realize that it no longer exists in the current rite.

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.