Anointing of the Sick
“Are there any sick among you? Let them call for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise them up; and if they have committed any sins, they will be forgiven.” (James 5:14-15).
The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick confers a special grace on the Christian experiencing the difficulties inherent in grave illness or old age. It may be conferred when a believer is in danger of death because of illness or old age, when they fall seriously ill, and also when—having previously received the sacrament—their illness worsens. This sacrament is conferred by priests, using oil blessed by the bishop, and consists essentially in the anointing of the forehead and hands of the sick person according to the liturgical norms.
The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has the effect of uniting the sick person to the passion of Christ, for their own good and that of the whole Church; it coveys the peace and courage necessary to endure the sufferings of illness or old age in a Christian manner; it obtains the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance; if God wills, it may bring about the restoration of health, should this be conducive to the salvation of the sick person’s soul; and, if necessary, it prepares the Christian soul to pass over to eternal life.
To request the Anointing of the Sick, please contact one of our priests directly or via the parish office.