Author R. Douglas Wead's personal insight into Charismatic anointing with oils...



Adapted from this source: R. Douglas Wead. Father McCarthy Smokes a Pie and Speaks in Tongues. Wisdom House Publishing Company, 1972.

The Christopher McDermott case, found on pages 68 to 71.

"In April 1971, a young Cath0lic high schooler, Christopher McDermott, was stunned by the news that hi f ather had been injured in an automobile accident and was in critical condition.

"In spite of the prayers and concern of friends and relatives Mr. McDermott died.

"Such an experience brought into sharp focus the naked realities of life versus death and was a bit disillusioning for such a religious teenager as young Chris."

Next, Chris and "his former Catholic buddy, Don Johnson" go to a conference given by our author in person.. ..

"When I had finished a report of the charismatic renewal to the audience, Chris and Don were among those who responded to my appeal to experience renewal.

"The thirty or so who wanted special prayer were reassembled in a basement Sunday school classroom.

"I organized a circle of chairs where they were seated.

"Surrounding this circle were members of the local congregation and visiting charismatics who had voluntered to pray and encourage them.

"First, we got acquainted by introducing all visitors and acknowledging the churches they represented.

"Besides Christopher and Don, there were two other Catholics, a priest, and a young graduate of Niagara University who was to be ordained into the priesthood the next Saturday.

"Then following around the circle, I attempted to get a brief background of their attitudes toward the charismatic movement.

"To be sure, there are moments when the sovereignty of God strikes like lighting into a particuar situation, but often it is easy to anticipate even spiritual things, if you are a close observer of them.

"[E]ven in such a spiritual experience -orientated world as the Penecostal movement, the clergy develop methods and rituals with which the can feel comfortable.

"Though I wasn't [then] aware of the tragic events that had made Chris so sensitive to spiritual things, I was sure that he was ready to experience the gifts of the Holy Spirit."

And so, Wead asks Chris: "Chris, do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? His response was immediate, Yes.

"I challenged hin to repeat the same confession of Christ that each one of us around he circle would be making."

Chris did!

"Pastor Jack Piper handed me the anointing oil [apparently outlawed recently by the Vatican for South African Catholic Charismatics] and I invited some of the local church deacons and visitors to join us in the laying on of hands."

At first, we're told, nothing happens, then:

"With a radiant smile on his face, Chris stood holding out his hands and looking down at them, I have this tingling sensation and I feel so lightheaded! I have such joy!

"Moments later, there was a flowing river of praise to God in another language."

Things seem to start going haywire a little later, and after a week a concerned Wead calls Chris.

"Chris was enthusiastic as never before.

"I asked him how he would benefit from his Holy Spirit baptism?

"He answered that already his faith life was awakened and I am anxious to experiment with tongues in my private devotions..."