Anointing of the Sick

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Suffering and illness have always been among the greatest problems that trouble the human spirit. Christians feel and experience pain as do other people, yet our faith helps us to grasp more deeply the mystery of suffering and to bear our pain with greater courage. From Christ’s words we know that sickness has meaning and value for our own salvation and for the salvation of the world. We also know that Christ, who during his lifetime visited and healed the sick, loves the sick in their illness.

Christ the Lord showed great concern for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the sick and has commanded us to do likewise. This is very clear from the gospels, and above all from the existence of the sacrament of anointing, which he instituted and which is made known in the Letter of James. Since then the Church has never ceased to celebrate this sacrament for its members by the anointing and the prayers of its priests, commending those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them.

Those who are seriously ill need the special help of God’s grace in this time of anxiety, lest they be broken in spirit and, under the pressure of temptation, perhaps weakened in their faith. This is why, through the sacrament of anointing, Christ strengthens the faithful who are afflicted by illness, providing the sick with the strongest means possible. The sacrament of anointing of the sick gives the grace of the Holy Spirit to those who are sick, by this grace the whole person is helped and saved, sustained by trust in God and strengthened against the temptations of the Evil one, and anxiety over death. Thus the sick person is able not only to bear suffering bravely, but also fight against it. A return to physical health may follow the reception of the sacrament if it will be beneficial to the sick person’s salvation. If necessary, the sacrament also provides the sick person with forgiveness of sins.

Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
The Letter of James states that the sick are to be anointed in order to raise them up and save them. Great care and concern should be taken to see that those of the faithful whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age receive the sacrament.

• The sacrament may be repeated if the sick persons recovers after being anointed and then again falls ill or if during the same illness the person’s condition becomes more serious.
• The sacrament may be received if an illness is chronic.
• A sick person may be anointed before surgery whenever a serious illness is the reason for the surgery.
• Elderly persons may be anointed even though no serious illness is present.

All of us should receive the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick to strengthen us during our illness. We are to receive this sacrament of God’s healing with full faith and devotion and not practice any delay in the reception of this sacrament.

The annual parish celebration of the Anointing of the Sick occurs in the early fall. It is recommended that the Anointing of the Sick be celebrated before admittance to the hospital. Anointing of the Sick may be requested at any time by calling the parish office.