The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of faith, hope, and healing. It is intended to strengthen those who are being tried by illness of body, mind or spirit, those who are facing surgery and those who need our prayerful support to meet the challenges of the aging process.
“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.” (CCC 1509)
“From ancient times in the liturgical traditions of both East and West, we have testimonies to the practice of anointing of the sick with blessed oil.” (CCC 1512) The Oil of the Sick is one of the three holy oils (The others are Chrism Oil and Oil of Catechumens.)consecrated by the bishop each year during Holy Week then distributed to each parish for its use in the year ahead. These three sacred oils are enthroned on a golden shelf to the left of our church’s sanctuary. They are used in our parish for baptisms and confirmations and to anoint the sick.
“The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill by anointing them on the forehead and hands with duly blessed oil – pressed from olives or from other plants – saying, only once: ‘Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.’” (CCC 1513)

Those who wish to receive this beautiful sacrament are welcome to come forward when invited, after the homily at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday September 23, 2017.