ANOINTING OF THE SICK
“Is there 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.”
James 5:14-15
Christ, understanding human illness, gave his Church the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick so all the baptized can access and experience his healing Spirit. This sacrament of mercy and healing is administered to the dying as well as to those who are gravely ill or about to undergo a serious operation. The Sacrament of Anointing offers prayers for recovery, but primarily gives spiritual healing and the Holy Spirit’s peace and courage for the difficulties of illness or the frailty of old age.
Anointing is not to be delayed for any serious illness or operation. A person who has been anointed does not need to be anointed again within the same illness. It is also important to be prepared to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation when receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick (if they are able).
At your child’s Baptism you, the parents, were told that you “would be the first and best teachers of your children in the way of faith”. Parental involvement in the preparation of your child for First Holy Communion is paramount. The parish ‘helps’, but does not replace your part in the process of leading your children in the development of their faith, through the development and example of your own life. The best preparation for the Eucharist is taking your child to Mass regularly and helping your child understand what it is all about.
When to call a priest:
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Diagnosis of serious disease: call parish to come in and meet with priest.
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Terminal Diagnosis: call parish to come in and meet with priest.
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Homebound: call parish to schedule a visit within a given week.
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For the integrity of the sacrament the priest will hear the confession of the person to be anointed.
