THE LAST RITES OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH FOR JFK … Rev. Oscar L. Huber, a Catholic priest who served as Pastor at the Holy Trinity Church in Dallas, Texas. … Rev. Huber, who died in 1975, was a native of Perryville, Mo where his parents were farmers. He joined the priesthood at age 40 as part of the Vincentian Order. After a series of appointments he arrived in Dallas as Pastor of Holy Trinity, one of the largest Catholic parishes in the city. Pastor Huber recalled being in the church refectory having lunch after the exciting morning, when one of his associates learned from the television that the President had been shot and had been taken to Parkland Hospital, which was within the responsibility of Holy Trinity. Soon, a phone call came from the hospital with a request from First Lady Jackie Kennedy asking that a priest come to administer to the spiritual needs of the President. Rev. Huber described the scene: The last rites of the Roman Catholic Church ... In Latin, I said: “I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” Then, dipping my thumb in holy oil, I traced the sign of the cross on his forehead and said: “Through this holy anointing may God forgive you whatever sins you have committed. Amen.” The Apostolic Blessing: “I, by the faculty given to me by the Apostolic See, grant to you a plenary indulgence and remission of all sins and I bless you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” After this I recited for the President, from the ritual, prayers for the dying and for the repose of his soul, to which was added: “Eternal rest grant unto him. O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.” During the ceremonies, Mrs. Kennedy was standing beside the President. She and others in the emergency room answered the prayers with which they were familiar. Mrs. Kennedy bent over and seemed to kiss the President. Soon after this followed by Mrs. Kennedy and others who were present, I walked from the emergency room to the adjoining corridor. Sorrow and consternation bowed the heads of everyone present. The silence that pervaded the corridor was mute evidence that another President of the United States had died at the hand of an assassin. Yes, it was evident – the President was dead. During this most trying ordeal, the perfect composure maintained by Mrs. Kennedy was beyond comprehension. I will never forget the blank stare in her eyes and the signs of agony on her face. I extended my heartfelt sympathy and that of my parishioners to her. In a low tone of voice she thanked me graciously and asked me to pray for the President. I assured her that I would do so.” ehow/info_8556200_list-deadly-sins-catholic-church.html
Posted on: Fri, 22 Nov 2013 07:13:29 +0000