Anointing of the Sick
“Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.” – James 5:14-15
“The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects: the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church; the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age; the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance; the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul; the preparation for passing over to eternal life.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church 1532.
The Anointing of the Sick should not be confused with Last Rites. It is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death but, should be received by any of the faithful as soon as they begin to be in danger of death from sickness or old age.
The minister of the sacrament is a priest, who may also provide confession and Holy Eucharist to the faithful. Our parish also sends out Eucharistic Ministers on a regular basis to provide communion to those unable to attend Mass due to illness or old age.
To Get Assistance
Call the parish office to arrange a priest to administer the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, or to arrange an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion to bring communion.
How to Help
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are needed to bring the Blessed Sacrament to those unable to attend Mass. To volunteer contact the Parish Office 803-329 2662