Farrah Fawcett: Poster Girl; Actress and Catholic

Perhaps because many Catholics know very little about their faith, some American politicos of the 'although personally opposed' sort are quite willing - even eager - to say how enthusiastic they are about being Catholic.

In the America movie industry, being Catholic doesn't seem to be quite so big an advantage.

I was surprised to learn that Farrah Fawcett received 'last rites' before her death. I had not been aware that she was Catholic, and am glad to read that she died what my father would have called a happy death.

The last rites are a set of sacraments which include Reconciliation (Confession), Anointing of the Sick, Apostolic Blessing for the Hour of Death, and Holy Communion. (EWTN)

Receiving the Anointing of the Sick isn't reserved for people who are about to die. (Catechism, 1514). It doesn't hurt to receive this sacrament as soon as sickness or old age make it clear that death may be approaching, though. And, if you've received the Anointing of the Sick and get better: no worries. The sacrament can be given again, as needed (1515)

Back to Farrah Fawcett

I can't say that I was a fan of Farrah Fawcett, but I knew something about her career, from that 1976 poster, through "Charlie's Angels," and her movies. I wrote a post about her career and death in another blog.

As I wrote then, Farrah Fawcett struck me as someone who had a bit more common sense and inner strength than many of the glitterati display.

Related posts:

• "Farrah Fawcett: Poster Girl; Actress; Dead"
  Apathetic Lemming of the North (June 25, 2009)
• " 'Cafeteria Catholics' and a Diverse Church"
  (June 8, 2009)
• "Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas: Nancy Pelosi Isn't Alone"
  (March 8, 2009)
• "The Pope, an Archbishop, and Nancy Pelosi, on Abortion, Human Rights, and Communion"
  (February 21, 2009)
• "Pelosi and the Pope, Emotion and Beliefs"
  (February 19, 2009)
• Putting some of these related posts in perspective
  "Conservative? Liberal? Democrat? Republican? No, I'm Catholic"
  (November 3, 2008)

In the news:

• "Farrah Fawcett dies after receiving last rites"
  Catholic News Agency (June 25, 2009)

Background:

• Last Rites and the Catholic Church in America:
  • "Asian and Pacific Island Demographics"
    Cultural Diversity in the Church, Asian and Pacific Island Affairs
  • "Dioceses, Parishes, North American College in Rome to Mark Patriot Day, September 11"
    (September 1, 2004)
• "THESE ARE THE SACRAMENTS"
  Fulton Sheen, EWTN (1962)
• "What is the difference between Last Rites and Extreme Unction?"
  Question from Ron C (June 19, 2001), answer by Colin B. Donovan, STL (July 18, 2009)
• "Article 5 / The Anointing of the Sick"
  Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition (1994, 1997)