Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Last Rites



Sometimes clergy are asked to administer the sacrament of extreme unction, of anointing the sick when they're close to death. It's a powerful and, for me, emotional rite. Consider this prayer:



In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, let there be extinguished in you all power of the devil by the imposition of our hands, and by the invocation of the glorious and holy Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, and of her illustrious Spouse, St. Joseph, and of all the holy Angels, Archangels, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins, and of all the saints together. Amen.


I tell you, these prayers have great efficacy. Or, to quote a Baptist friend of mine, "You sure prayed the Devil out of her!" The woman in question made a full recovery, leaving the doctors relieved if bewildered. 




I'd gone to the hospital straight from a ride, all Wranglers, boots and hat. I don't know if there's a corollary between that and the miracle.




God bless,

LSP

5 comments:

  1. Well done you. The power of prayer.

    Great pictures. Very cowboy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Praise the Lord! That is wonderful, Parson.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks, Juliette. It was quite a thing, not sure what the hospital staff thought!

    ReplyDelete
  4. The power of prayer is mighty, Padre.
    The Cowman had the last rites 4 times over the years, he came back every time, except the last one.

    ReplyDelete