Lesson Twenty-Fifth of the Baltimore Catechism No. 2 continues the discussion of the sacraments by looking at two of the less familiar sacraments: one, Extreme Unction or the Sacrament of the Sick, that we should all receive; and the other, Holy Orders, that few people will ever receive.
Extreme Unction prepares our soul for death, but also offers healing to the body. Holy Orders is the sacrament through which deacons, priests and bishops are ordained to God's service.
The questions are numbered consecutively with Lesson Twenty-Fourth. For more information and links to other resources, click on each question below.
A. Extreme Unction is the Sacrament which, through the anointing and prayer of the priest, gives health and strength to the soul, and sometimes to the body, when we are in danger of death from sickness.
A. We should receive Extreme Unction when we are in danger of death from sickness, or from a wound or accident.
A. We should not wait until we are in extreme danger before we receive Extreme Unction, but if possible we should receive it whilst we have the use of our senses.
A. The effects of Extreme Unction are: 1st, To comfort us in the pains of sickness and to strengthen us against temptation; 2d, To remit venial sins and to cleanse our soul from the remains of sin; 3d, To restore us to health, when God sees fit.
A. By the remains of sin I mean the inclination to evil and the weakness of the will which are the result of our sins, and which remain after our sins have been forgiven.
A. We should receive the Sacrament of Extreme Unction in the state of grace, and with lively faith and resignation to the will of God.
A. The priest is the minister of the Sacrament of Extreme Unction.
A. Holy Orders is a Sacrament by which bishops, priests, and other ministers of the Church are ordained and receive the power and grace to perform their sacred duties.
A. To receive Holy Orders worthily it is necessary to be in the state of grace, to have the necessary knowledge and a divine call to this sacred office.
A. Christians should look upon the priests of the Church as the messengers of God and the dispensers of His mysteries.
A. Bishops can confer the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
