“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders [presbyters] of the Church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.” ~James 5:14-15
“The Church believes and confesses that among the seven sacraments there is one especially intended to strengthen those who are being tried by illness. 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 has already arrived to receive this sacrament.” (Catechism 1514)
“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 fitting to celebrate it within the Eucharist, the memorial of the Lord’s Passover.” (Catechism 1517)
“This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by Mark, but is recommended to the faithful and promulgated by James the apostle.” (Catechism 1511)
“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 1499)
A person who is ill may be anointed at any time. Formerly the sacrament was administered only to those who were dying. The Church now anoints people who are very ill and in need of God’s healing grace.
If you know that you will be undergoing serious surgery and will be hospitalized, you may be anointed at church beforehand on the first Friday of each month at 6:30 a.m Mass. If you or a family member is in need of the sacraments in an emergency, call the parish office at (307) 266-2666.
