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The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of the Church, instituted by Christ, in which the priest prays, lays hands, and anoints the sick person with blessed oil.
Who can receive this Sacrament?
The Anointing of the Sick can be received by any Catholic whose health is in a critical state. If you are experiencing illness, injury, impending surgery or weakness due to age, there is powerful help available for you here in the Church. One can receive the Anointing of the Sick several times in one's life. 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 arrived.
"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
How is this sacrament celebrated?
"Like all the sacraments the Anointing of the Sick is a liturgical and communal celebration, whether it takes place in the family home, a hospital or church, for a single sick person or a whole group of sick persons. It is very fitting to celebrate it within the Eucharist, the memorial of the Lord's Passover. If circumstances suggest it, the celebration of the sacrament can be preceded by the sacrament of Penance and followed by the sacrament of the Eucharist." Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1517
Who can administer Anointing of the Sick?
Administering the Anointing of the Sick is reserved to bishops and priests, for it is Christ who acts through them by virtue of their ordination.
What is Viaticum?
Viaticum is also known as the last sacrament of the Christian. It is the last Holy Communion that a person receives before dying.
Please keep us informed so that we might minister to those who are ill at home, in the hospital, or in a nursing home. If you have an emergency situation regarding a matter of grave illness or death which requires a priest, please contact the Parish Office at (317) 839-3333.