Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick may be received by any Catholic who is facing a serious illness or is of advanced years. Individuals who are planning to enter the hospital or anticipating out-patient surgery are particularly encouraged to receive the sacrament before their admission or surgery. Please contact the parish office, if you or a loved one desires to receive this sacrament.

Anointing of the Sick is one of the two Sacraments of Healing. This sacrament is a powerful and effective sign of Jesus' presence that brings strength and healing to the sick, the elderly and the dying. The celebration of this sacrament can help the sick get well again. When that does not happen, the sacrament helps the sick face their illness with faith and trust. It also helps dying people continue their faith journey to God in heaven.

This sacrament’s name has changed over time. It was once called extreme unction, which means "the last anointing," and has been referred to as part of the "last rites." The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls it "the anointing of the sick," (CCC 1511). The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick conveys several graces and imparts gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement, and temptation, and conveys peace and fortitude (CCC 1520). These graces flow from the atoning death of Jesus Christ, for "this was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, ‘He took our infirmities and bore our diseases’" (Matt. 8:17). The Church exhorts the Christian who is ill to unite with the Passion and Death of Christ.

By the sacred Anointing of the Sick and the prayer of the priests, the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1499)