“He came up and approached the patient, and offered a prayer,” New London Fire Chief Raymond Reed told KHQA-TV. “It was a Catholic priest who had anointing oil with him. A sense of calmness came over her, and it did us as well.”
Considering how many people were at the scene and interacting with the mystery faith leader, the story is a fascinating one.
“I can’t be for certain how it was said, but myself and another firefighter, we very plainly heard that we should remain calm, that our tools would now work and that we would get her out of that vehicle,” the firefighter added.
Now here’s where things get weird.
Editor’s note: These things happen way more often than most people think. Here’s another short, illustrated, real-life, personal story.
God loves you. God will provide – and that often means answering frantic prayers with just the right person, for the job. All we can do in the mean time, is try not to mess things up too badly – and/or too often – since God’s ways are not our ways – and it’s never wise to act recklessly or presumptuously.
It’s also always a good idea to say a quick prayer for anyone who you might notice, happens to be in distress, may have been injured, may be very near death, or has recently died.
One more thing … thank God for priests. The vast majority of priests are nice guys who are just trying to do God’s work, under what usually turns out to be very difficult circumstances. Priests are at their best – and are most appreciated – when they are attending to the souls of those who are literally, staring death in the face. Those who have been there will, I am sure, agree.
James 5:14-15 Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (15) And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man. And the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Additional related links:
Anointing of the Sick, Last Sacraments, and the Apostolic Pardon
Priests Prevented From Anointing Boston Marathon Bombing Victims
Doug Lawrence's Catholic Site 