Sacramental Ministry Flashcards

Which sacrament is most commonly administered by a Catholic chaplain in a healthcare setting to those who are seriously ill or near death?

Answer: Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick is the sacrament specifically intended for those who are gravely ill or in danger of death, making it central to chaplaincy in healthcare settings.

According to Catholic teaching, who is the ordinary minister of the Anointing of the Sick?

Answer: A priest or bishop

Canon Law (Canon 1003) specifies that only priests and bishops are valid ministers of the Anointing of the Sick.

When a Catholic chaplain facilitates Viaticum for a dying patient, which sacrament is being administered?

Answer: Holy Communion given as Eucharist for the dying

Viaticum is the reception of Holy Communion given to someone who is dying, serving as spiritual food for the journey to eternal life.

A Catholic chaplain who is a lay ecclesial minister may distribute Communion to the sick under what condition?

Answer: As an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion with proper authorization

Lay persons may serve as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, including bringing Communion to the sick and homebound, when properly commissioned by the bishop or pastor.

Which document from Vatican II most significantly broadened the understanding of the Anointing of the Sick beyond 'Extreme Unction'?

Answer: Sacrosanctum Concilium

Sacrosanctum Concilium (the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy) directed that 'Extreme Unction' be renamed and understood more broadly as Anointing of the Sick for all who are seriously ill.

In a Catholic chaplaincy context, the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation requires which essential element from the penitent?

Answer: Contrition, confession, and satisfaction (penance)

The three acts of the penitent — contrition (sorrow for sins), confession (telling sins to the priest), and satisfaction (performing penance) — are essential components of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

When a Catholic patient is unconscious and their family requests the sacraments, what is the appropriate chaplaincy response regarding Anointing of the Sick?

Answer: Anointing may be administered, as the Church presumes the desire for the sacraments in baptized Catholics

The Church teaches that Anointing of the Sick may be given to unconscious persons if it can be presumed that they would have requested it as baptized Catholics who practiced their faith.