Discover your Gifts
Experience Christ’s Presence, and Receive Peace & Courage
The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick brings spiritual strength, healing, and comfort to those facing serious illness, advanced age, or impending death. Rooted in Jesus’ ministry of healing and His command to care for the sick (James 5:14-15), this sacrament provides grace to endure suffering, forgiveness of sins, and, if God wills, physical healing.
Through the anointing with holy oil and prayers by a priest, the recipient experiences Christ’s presence, offering peace and courage. It unites their suffering with Christ’s Passion, bringing hope of eternal life and strengthening their faith as they journey toward spiritual and physical restoration.
What the Catechism Teaches Us…
In case of grave illness . . .
1514: The Anointing of the Sick “is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived.”
1515: If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can in the case of another grave illness receive this sacrament again. If during the same illness the person’s condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated. It is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to a serious operation. the same holds for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced. “… let him call for the presbyters of the Church”
1516: Only priests (bishops and presbyters) are ministers of the Anointing of the Sick. It is the duty of pastors to instruct the faithful on the benefits of this sacrament. the faithful should encourage the sick to call for a priest to receive this sacrament. The sick should prepare themselves to receive it with good dispositions, assisted by their pastor and the whole ecclesial community, which is invited to surround the sick in a special way through their prayers and fraternal attention.
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is available after every Mass by requesting it from a priest, or by the appointment (please call the Parish Office).
In addition, if you’d like a priest to visit you in a hospital/assisted living facility or at your residence, please call the Parish Office: (239) 283-9501.
