(Ch. 15 of my story of how I became deaf…)

On July 12th, 1981, a Priest was called to administer the Last Sacraments.

Photo by: “Andrea R.”

My condition was critical. Mama’s daddy, my Grandpa Ransom, called for a Catholic priest to come to my hospital room in the ICU and administer the Sacraments — specifically, the “Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.” It is also known as the “Sacrament of Last Rites.” My family believed that the grace of this Sacrament is one of strengthening, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of a serious illness, or when one is in danger of death. Yet, I didn’t realize what was fully happening to me or how close I was to dying…

Photo by: Stephen Helms

I remember seeing Monsignor Logan then for the first time. He was a new face in our Catholic faith community, and it was his first duty as the new Monsignor of the new Holy Spirit Parish, to administer this Sacrament to me. As Grandpa Ransom and Mama stood at the edge of my room, and Grandma Ransom lead the legions of family and friends in prayer just down the hall in the waiting room, Monsignor Logan, leaned over my bed and asked me if I would like to make a confession.

Photo by: Alexandre Eggert

I remember his pale, blue eyes peering out at me from behind a pair of slanted bifocals. I remember them mostly because the rest of his face was fully camouflaged with a dark-gray, bushy mustache and beard. Being the good Catholic daughter and granddaughter that I was, I nodded yes, knowing that you don’t decline a confession or absolution when they’re offered.

But, as much as I would’ve liked to speak my piece, I could not think clearly, let alone talk. I was groggy from medication and disoriented from the 106 fever. For a moment, I felt like I did in the second grade when I made my first confession at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, momentarily paralyzed and unable to speak. To my relief, Monsignor Logan leaned in closer and simply asked me if I was sorry for my sins. I nodded yes, not even sure what my sins were at the time. I didn’t have a lot of opportunity to do an examination of my conscience. It did not matter. God knew my heart. As the priest granted me absolution, I could see the bowed heads of my Grandpa and Mama who stood at the end of my bed.

It did not dawn on me that I was also being administered the Last Sacraments until the priest began making the sign of the cross on my forehead and hands with oil. I knew this wasn’t something done in the normal process of Reconciliation, and I began to show concern on my face. Mama saw my puzzled look and came over to explain that the priest was giving me the Sacrament of The Anointing of the Sick. It took me a minute to recognize what she was referring to. ‘The Anointing of the Sick… The Anointing of the Sick… That is the Sacrament of Last Rites!’

Photo by” Valorie Beaman

I suddenly remembered that it was the Sacrament given to those who are in danger of dying or who are at the point of death. It was then when first I realized that my condition must be extremely serious, and I lay trembling and scared.

“Am I gonna die?” I whimpered.

Mama came close and helped me understand that this was an “anointing” to strengthen me to do combat against whatever it was that was trying to take over my body. As Monsignor Logan continued to mark my hands in the sign of the cross with oil, Grandpa Ransom looked deeply into my eyes and smiled. I understood then that this was a holy anointing and not something to be afraid of.

Photo by: Tania Peguero

Soon, I felt reassured and comforted by a holy presence in the room. A feeling of peace and submission filled my body and weaved through the clouds in my mind. I knew that this was a good thing, and that God’s Holy Spirit was there.

(Footnote: Don’t give up on the story yet. It has been important for me to share what life was like before I became deaf so that people understand the significant transition that occurred when I became deaf — a transformation I not only understand and accept, but also celebrate! Keep on reading! These middle chapters entitled: Deaf or Death tell the dramatic story of the illness that took my hearing. Keep reading! More coming soon…)

Posted by LaRonda on Sunday, July 22nd, 2007 at 5:06 am.