Roger W. Nutt is Provost of Ave Maria University, where he is also Associate Professor of Theology and Co-Director of the Aquinas Center for Theological Renewal. He is the author of many articles and book chapters on Christology and Sacramental Theology. His books include Thomas Aquinas: De Unione Verbi Incarnati (Leuven: Peeters, 2015) and General Principles of Sacramental Theology (CUA Press, 2017). He is also co-editor of many volumes on the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas, including Thomism and Predestination: Principles and Disputations (Sapientia Press, 2017); Thomas Aquinas and the Greek Fathers (Sapientia Press, 2019); Thomas Aquinas, Biblical Theologian (Emmaus Academic, 2020); and Thomas Aquinas and the Crisis of Christology (Sapientia Press, 2021).

• Acknowledgements xi Introduction 1 Chapter I: Death, Life, and the Reality of Sin 13 Prologue: Fear of Death and How We Got Here: A Brief Review of Non-Christian Attitudes toward Death from 350 BC to AD 2540 13 Life, Death, and Christian Anthropology: A Short Introduction 25 Life: A Brief Sketch 28 Death and Eternal Life: An Outline 34 Chapter II: Theological Foundations of the Sacrament of the Sick 45 Biblical Foundations of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick 45 Original Sin, the Human Condition, and the Spiritual Significance of Anointing of the Sick 63 The Twofold Aspect of Death 73 Understanding Sin and Death: Why Is Life after Baptism So Difficult? 81 Chapter III: The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick 85 The Need for a Sacrament of the Dying and Departing: Who Can Receive, and When? 85 Isn’t Everyone in Danger of Death? 90 Discerning Danger of Death 92 Discerning Eligibility: Difficult Cases 94 The Dead and Unconscious 94 Children and the Mentally Disabled 97 Distinguishing Penance and Anointing of the Sick: Eternal and Temporal Forgiveness 99 Chapter IV: The Graces and Effects of Anointing of the Sick 107 Sacramental Grace Briefly Introduced 107 The First Grace of Anointing 110 Anointing for Death 115 The Grace of Suffering with Christ 119 Anointing, Viaticum, and the Grace to Transition from Time to Eternity 126 The Grace of Forgiveness of Sins 133 Chapter V: Toward a Theology of Rites and the Rite of Anointing of the Sick 139 A Sacramental Theology of Rites 139 The Rite of Anointing of the Sick 146 The Minister of the Rite 152 Chapter VI: The Christian Attitude toward Death and Basic Bioethical Principles 157 Is Death to Be Celebrated or Mourned by Christians? 157 Anointing of the Sick, Care for the Dying, and the Value of Suffering: Some (Very) Basic Bioethical Guidance 162 Conclusion 167 Bibliography 173 Index 183 Scripture Reference Index 195

In To Die Is Gain, Dr. Roger Nutt offers his reader an impressive and theologically insightful account of the nature of the Sacrament of Anointing and its broader place in a Catholic understanding of life and death in Jesus Christ. Beginning with the universal experience of death, Nutt traces the outlines of a Christian anthropology of death within the frame of the paschal mystery, illuminating the fittingness of the signs and effects of the Sacrament of Anointing in light of this salvific reality. This book will no doubt be of great value to all who desire to deepen their appreciation for the theological and pastoral significance of the Church's sacramental encounter with the perennial realities of sin and death that mark the human experience." - Fr. Reginald Lynch, OP Dominican Province of St. Joseph"This is simply the best book I've read on the Anointing of the Sick. The author is a scholar's scholar, but he writes here with clarity and practicality that both pastors and lay readers will appreciate. The anointing—which is perhaps the most neglected and misunderstood sacrament—should be an important element in any serious Catholic's spirituality. Read this book, and your gain will be incalculable." - Scott W. Hahn, Franciscan University of Steubenville"This is an important book about an important, but poorly understood, sacrament. What could be more significant than serious illness and the proximity of death? What could be more important than bringing the healing grace of Christ to the seriously ill? Dr. Nutt has written a book that is theologically sound, pastorally sensitive, and spiritually rooted in the hope of Christ's Resurrection and ours. While based on the most solid scholarship it is easily accessible to the average reader. We all know someone—not to mention ourselves—who needs a deeper understanding of the great gift of the Anointing of the Sick." - Ralph Martin, Sacred Heart Major Seminary

Roger W. Nutt is Provost of Ave Maria University, where he is also Associate Professor of Theology and Co-Director of the Aquinas Center for Theological Renewal. He is the author of many articles and book chapters on Christology and Sacramental Theology. His books include Thomas Aquinas: De Unione Verbi Incarnati (Leuven: Peeters, 2015) and General Principles of Sacramental Theology (CUA Press, 2017). He is also co-editor of many volumes on the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas, including Thomism and Predestination: Principles and Disputations (Sapientia Press, 2017); Thomas Aquinas and the Greek Fathers (Sapientia Press, 2019); Thomas Aquinas, Biblical Theologian (Emmaus Academic, 2020); and Thomas Aquinas and the Crisis of Christology (Sapientia Press, 2021).

• Acknowledgements xi Introduction 1 Chapter I: Death, Life, and the Reality of Sin 13 Prologue: Fear of Death and How We Got Here: A Brief Review of Non-Christian Attitudes toward Death from 350 BC to AD 2540 13 Life, Death, and Christian Anthropology: A Short Introduction 25 Life: A Brief Sketch 28 Death and Eternal Life: An Outline 34 Chapter II: Theological Foundations of the Sacrament of the Sick 45 Biblical Foundations of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick 45 Original Sin, the Human Condition, and the Spiritual Significance of Anointing of the Sick 63 The Twofold Aspect of Death 73 Understanding Sin and Death: Why Is Life after Baptism So Difficult? 81 Chapter III: The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick 85 The Need for a Sacrament of the Dying and Departing: Who Can Receive, and When? 85 Isn’t Everyone in Danger of Death? 90 Discerning Danger of Death 92 Discerning Eligibility: Difficult Cases 94 The Dead and Unconscious 94 Children and the Mentally Disabled 97 Distinguishing Penance and Anointing of the Sick: Eternal and Temporal Forgiveness 99 Chapter IV: The Graces and Effects of Anointing of the Sick 107 Sacramental Grace Briefly Introduced 107 The First Grace of Anointing 110 Anointing for Death 115 The Grace of Suffering with Christ 119 Anointing, Viaticum, and the Grace to Transition from Time to Eternity 126 The Grace of Forgiveness of Sins 133 Chapter V: Toward a Theology of Rites and the Rite of Anointing of the Sick 139 A Sacramental Theology of Rites 139 The Rite of Anointing of the Sick 146 The Minister of the Rite 152 Chapter VI: The Christian Attitude toward Death and Basic Bioethical Principles 157 Is Death to Be Celebrated or Mourned by Christians? 157 Anointing of the Sick, Care for the Dying, and the Value of Suffering: Some (Very) Basic Bioethical Guidance 162 Conclusion 167 Bibliography 173 Index 183 Scripture Reference Index 195

In To Die Is Gain, Dr. Roger Nutt offers his reader an impressive and theologically insightful account of the nature of the Sacrament of Anointing and its broader place in a Catholic understanding of life and death in Jesus Christ. Beginning with the universal experience of death, Nutt traces the outlines of a Christian anthropology of death within the frame of the paschal mystery, illuminating the fittingness of the signs and effects of the Sacrament of Anointing in light of this salvific reality. This book will no doubt be of great value to all who desire to deepen their appreciation for the theological and pastoral significance of the Church's sacramental encounter with the perennial realities of sin and death that mark the human experience." - Fr. Reginald Lynch, OP Dominican Province of St. Joseph"This is simply the best book I've read on the Anointing of the Sick. The author is a scholar's scholar, but he writes here with clarity and practicality that both pastors and lay readers will appreciate. The anointing—which is perhaps the most neglected and misunderstood sacrament—should be an important element in any serious Catholic's spirituality. Read this book, and your gain will be incalculable." - Scott W. Hahn, Franciscan University of Steubenville"This is an important book about an important, but poorly understood, sacrament. What could be more significant than serious illness and the proximity of death? What could be more important than bringing the healing grace of Christ to the seriously ill? Dr. Nutt has written a book that is theologically sound, pastorally sensitive, and spiritually rooted in the hope of Christ's Resurrection and ours. While based on the most solid scholarship it is easily accessible to the average reader. We all know someone—not to mention ourselves—who needs a deeper understanding of the great gift of the Anointing of the Sick." - Ralph Martin, Sacred Heart Major Seminary

Roger W. Nutt is Provost of Ave Maria University, where he is also Associate Professor of Theology and Co-Director of the Aquinas Center for Theological Renewal. He is the author of many articles and book chapters on Christology and Sacramental Theology. His books include Thomas Aquinas: De Unione Verbi Incarnati (Leuven: Peeters, 2015) and General Principles of Sacramental Theology (CUA Press, 2017). He is also co-editor of many volumes on the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas, including Thomism and Predestination: Principles and Disputations (Sapientia Press, 2017); Thomas Aquinas and the Greek Fathers (Sapientia Press, 2019); Thomas Aquinas, Biblical Theologian (Emmaus Academic, 2020); and Thomas Aquinas and the Crisis of Christology (Sapientia Press, 2021).

• Acknowledgements xi Introduction 1 Chapter I: Death, Life, and the Reality of Sin 13 Prologue: Fear of Death and How We Got Here: A Brief Review of Non-Christian Attitudes toward Death from 350 BC to AD 2540 13 Life, Death, and Christian Anthropology: A Short Introduction 25 Life: A Brief Sketch 28 Death and Eternal Life: An Outline 34 Chapter II: Theological Foundations of the Sacrament of the Sick 45 Biblical Foundations of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick 45 Original Sin, the Human Condition, and the Spiritual Significance of Anointing of the Sick 63 The Twofold Aspect of Death 73 Understanding Sin and Death: Why Is Life after Baptism So Difficult? 81 Chapter III: The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick 85 The Need for a Sacrament of the Dying and Departing: Who Can Receive, and When? 85 Isn’t Everyone in Danger of Death? 90 Discerning Danger of Death 92 Discerning Eligibility: Difficult Cases 94 The Dead and Unconscious 94 Children and the Mentally Disabled 97 Distinguishing Penance and Anointing of the Sick: Eternal and Temporal Forgiveness 99 Chapter IV: The Graces and Effects of Anointing of the Sick 107 Sacramental Grace Briefly Introduced 107 The First Grace of Anointing 110 Anointing for Death 115 The Grace of Suffering with Christ 119 Anointing, Viaticum, and the Grace to Transition from Time to Eternity 126 The Grace of Forgiveness of Sins 133 Chapter V: Toward a Theology of Rites and the Rite of Anointing of the Sick 139 A Sacramental Theology of Rites 139 The Rite of Anointing of the Sick 146 The Minister of the Rite 152 Chapter VI: The Christian Attitude toward Death and Basic Bioethical Principles 157 Is Death to Be Celebrated or Mourned by Christians? 157 Anointing of the Sick, Care for the Dying, and the Value of Suffering: Some (Very) Basic Bioethical Guidance 162 Conclusion 167 Bibliography 173 Index 183 Scripture Reference Index 195

In To Die Is Gain, Dr. Roger Nutt offers his reader an impressive and theologically insightful account of the nature of the Sacrament of Anointing and its broader place in a Catholic understanding of life and death in Jesus Christ. Beginning with the universal experience of death, Nutt traces the outlines of a Christian anthropology of death within the frame of the paschal mystery, illuminating the fittingness of the signs and effects of the Sacrament of Anointing in light of this salvific reality. This book will no doubt be of great value to all who desire to deepen their appreciation for the theological and pastoral significance of the Church's sacramental encounter with the perennial realities of sin and death that mark the human experience." - Fr. Reginald Lynch, OP Dominican Province of St. Joseph"This is simply the best book I've read on the Anointing of the Sick. The author is a scholar's scholar, but he writes here with clarity and practicality that both pastors and lay readers will appreciate. The anointing—which is perhaps the most neglected and misunderstood sacrament—should be an important element in any serious Catholic's spirituality. Read this book, and your gain will be incalculable." - Scott W. Hahn, Franciscan University of Steubenville"This is an important book about an important, but poorly understood, sacrament. What could be more significant than serious illness and the proximity of death? What could be more important than bringing the healing grace of Christ to the seriously ill? Dr. Nutt has written a book that is theologically sound, pastorally sensitive, and spiritually rooted in the hope of Christ's Resurrection and ours. While based on the most solid scholarship it is easily accessible to the average reader. We all know someone—not to mention ourselves—who needs a deeper understanding of the great gift of the Anointing of the Sick." - Ralph Martin, Sacred Heart Major Seminary