Annointing of the Sick

Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. This prayer, uttered in faith, will reclaim those who are ill, and the Lord will restore them. . . Pray for one another, that you may find healing.
Jas 5: 14 15b, 16 c

The Sacrament of Anointing supports those who are ill in their struggles and continues the healing ministry of Jesus. The Sacrament prepares those who are anointed for God's healing, which always occurs. There is a difference between being healed and being cured. A cure speaks of the physical aspects, and sometimes, through this sacrament, people are not only healed, they also are cured. But more importantly, this is a Sacrament of healing - the touch of God's grace in the arena of our lives that are most in need of God's touch - our souls. Healing occurs on the spiritual level - and that might include the strength to face what lies ahead and the grace to accept God's will for us.

The Anointing of the Sick should ideally be celebrated when the person who is ill is capable of participating in the sacrament, and not only reserved until the person is in danger of imminent death. Anyone over the age of reason who is afflicted with a serious or chronic illness, anyone facing surgery, or suffering from the debilitating effects of old age may be anointed. To arrange for anointing, please call the parish offices at 947.945.0430. Once a year, the parish normally celebrates a communal Anointing of the Sick at Mass.

The sacrament may be repeated if a person recovers after being anointed and then later becomes ill again. It may even be repeated during the same illness if the person 's condition takes a serious turn for the worse, or if, as a person is getting older, they become noticeably weaker and more frail. During the sacrament, the priest lays hands on the one who is ill and prays over him or her. The priest will also anoint the sick person with oil, the ancient symbol for strength and healing. Oil was also used in ancient days to recognize a person's special calling. It is still used in this way today, during the ordination of priests. However, we might also recognize that those among us who are ill are called to a special vocation by God.