Sick call sets, before 1979, before 1997, undated, bulk: 1926–1968
Scope and Contents
Material culture and pamphlets that document the Liturgical Movement and changes in religious life in the American Catholic Church from the early twentieth century through the implementation of the Second Vatican Council's reforms in the 1960s and 1970s. The collection contains artifacts of many kinds, including badges, bookmarks, candles, chalices, chaplets, crosses, crucifixes, holy water containers, jewelry, key rings, medals, money clips, monstrances, pins, plaques, relics, rosaries, scapulars, sick call sets, statues, vestments, and altar textiles.
Dates
- Creation: before 1979, before 1997, undated
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1926–1968
Creator
- From the Collection: Leonard, William J. (1908-2000) (Compiler, Person)
Language of Materials
This collection is mostly in English, with some materials in French, German, Italian, Latin, Lithuanian, Polish, Slovenian, and Spanish.
Access Note
Collection is open for research.
Definition and use
Sets containing the materials necessary for the anointing of the sick (extreme unction), including all or some of the following: a clean linen cloth, a crucifix, two blessed candles, a finger bowl, a glass of water, a spoon, holy water and a sprinkler, a napkin, a saucer with six balls of cotton, and a plate with bread and lemon. Some sets are in portable carrying cases, for use by a priest, while others are in wall-mounted or free-standing cases, to be held in a home or communal area ready for a priest's visit. In certain instances, the case doubles as the crucifix.
Sources:
Collinge, William J. Historical Dictionary of Catholicism, 3rd ed. Rowman & Littlefield, 2021.
Toner, Patrick. "Extreme Unction." In The Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company, 1909. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05716a.htm.
Full Extent
20 Linear Feet (17 containers)
Repository Details
Part of the John J. Burns Library Repository
John J. Burns Library
Boston College
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill MA 02467 USA
617-552-4861
burns@bc.libanswers.com