About Fr.Joe  Landi:  Out of the World and Into the Kingdom--His journey to priesthood by Rissa Singson.

Dear Diary...At a recent healing service, I was startled to hear a Catholic Priest using the "shot gun method" of healing panned by James Randi in his book, The Faith Healers. Examples of the method: "There is a healing taking place right now in someone’s leg.  If someone feels a healing taking place in their leg, if they feel less pain, stand up or raise your hand."  Or, "Several people are being healed of…" (insert ailment). Sound familiar? 
      The shot gun method is not new.  It's been around a long time.  However, it was perfected by the charismatic, Kathryn ("the Great") Kuhlman, the colorful Pentecostal Baptist faith healer who died in 1976.

There is no question that some people have been give of the gift of the charism of healing. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1508) tells us that the "Holy Spirit gives to some a special charism of healing so as to manifest the power of the grace of the risen Lord."  From the Catechism we also learn about the sacrament of healing, Anointing of the Sick. Like all sacraments, it is a liturgical and communal celebration (CCC 1517) fittingly celebrated during Mass using "Anointing of the Sick During Mass."

In Sacred Scripture we read, "Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven" (James 5: 14-16).

It is important to note that there are two types of oil used by the church—Holy Oil and Blessed Oil. Blessed Oil is a sacramental like Holy Water, ashes or candles and can be blessed by a priest or deacon. It can be administered by anyone.

Holy Oil (Holy Chrism) on the other hand, is only administered by a priest. It is used for the anointing of the sick. It is normally consecrated by a bishop at the Chrism Mass, but can be consecrated by a priest.

The sick should prepare to receive the Sacrament with good disposition. Before the anointing, the priest invites the whole "community to surround the sick in a special way through their prayers and fraternal attention". While anointing during Mass is preferred, this Sacrament can be administered anywhere.

The first grace of this Sacrament is one of strengthening. Other graces are peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of serious illness or the frailty of age. These graces are meant to lead the sick person to healing of the soul, but also of the body, if such is God’s will.

Those present who have ailments that are not life-threatening or not qualified to receive the sacrament of anointing, can be prayed over at the end of the Mass. They can be invited forward to be prayed over by priests, deacons, or lay people. One does not need to "ordained" to lay hands on or pray over someone. "Healing infirmities or forgiving sin, Jesus always responds to a prayer offered in faith" (CCC 2616). "Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will (Mark 11-24).

You may have heard or seen the phenomenon called "slain or resting in the spirit". While I do not doubt the power of the Holy Spirit to do this, I wonder, "Is this for real?" and I can’t find an answer in the Catechism or Scripture. The slaying process concerns me because it appears by some to be an expected reaction. Obviously, if it is really an Act of God by the power of His Spirit, nothing we do will stop it. If it is a learned and expected act, perhaps by expressing concern, we will discourage their doing it.

Randi's book also mentions faith healers who, while praying over someone, will assist the effect of being slain in the spirit. It gives drama to their act. On the Benny Hinn "show", he slays dozens with just a wave of his hand.

There is the potential for injury when someone is "slain in the spirit." Therefore, a good guideline is that we be prepared for those who, for whatever reason, need to do it.  Have prayer teams around the person being prayed over in case the person gets the reaction.

Even seculars are acknowledging faith healing. Gerald Epstein, M.D., in his book, Healing Into Immortality observes that faith is one of the important keys to healing.  We see it happen in the Scriptures.  So faith healing is a long-held tenet of Christian religious belief.  However, it often takes an experience such as physical illness or emotional suffering to make us want to believe and accept this gift of faith.  Yet faith healing is possible only by grace and the interior helps of the Holy Spirit.  Faith itself moves us to hope, healing, and imparts meaning to our life and to suffering.  It is faith, not snake oil, which makes healing possible.

Fr. Joe Landi is a Parochial Vicar at St. Cecilia Parish, San Francisco, the Archbishop's Liaison to the Charismatic Renewal, the Editor of the San Francisco Charismatics, and Board Chair of Sierra Point Credit Union, South San Francisco, serving the community, parochial and government schools in San Mateo County, and the Charismatic Renewal.