Each time we share in the Eucharist God is working through such “ordinary”
things as touch, oil, water, bread and wine. In a sense, healing is already
part of our church life because the Eucharist is central to our liturgical
experience. In every celebration of the Eucharist Christ is reaching out to us
with open arms to hold and to heal us.
Accordingly, each Healing Service will be placed in the context of a
Eucharist.
Of equal importance to one of our new services will be a liturgy that is
relevant to the theme of healing.
As much as is practical I will attempt to use as many different liturgies as are
relevant.
Equally important to a healing service is the use of the oil of the sick.
Chrismation is the action of anointing (from the Greek word Khrisma,
meaning ‘anointing’) using the aromatic olive oils which are blessed by the
Bishop at the “Chrism Mass” held every year when the clergy renew their
ordination promises and the Bishop blesses the oils used for baptism,
ordination, confirmation and, of course, the blessing of the sick.
At each of our Healing Services, after communion, I will invite anyone who
wishes to come forward and be prayed for by the laying on of hands and the
signing of the cross on the forehead of the person using the oil of the sick.
An equally important sacrament but rarely used by Episcopalians is the
ability to receive the sacrament of reconciliation (or confession).
Many people carry a burden with them of such proportions that it impedes
their ability to become whole again unless and until they receive the
absolution that comes.
Accordingly, the Church has made it an
obligation on the clergy, via Canon 29,
that they be available to hear a person’s
confession if so desired.
At each Healing Service, there will be this
opportunity if so desired.
Finally, I think it is important that you
understand that everyone is very
welcome to attend even if they are not
suffering from any ailment as such.
You could be concerned about someone
else and that is good enough for me.
Rev Paul Romano
StOM Page 12