Anointing of the Sick
Candice Calhoon
About the Sacrament of Anointing
Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church
"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."
About the Sacrament of Anointing at the Church of St. Mary
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is celebrated during the year at the 9:00 AM. Mass on the first Wednesday of each month at a special liturgy or at any time by request. Please feel free to ask any of the priests to celebrate this healing Sacrament with you.
More about the Sacrament of Anointing
Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Christ's compassion toward the sick and his many healings of every kind of infirmity are a resplendent sign that "God has visited his people" and that the Kingdom of God is close at hand. Jesus has the power not only to heal, but also to forgive sins; he has come to heal the whole man, soul and body; he is the physician the sick have need of. His compassion toward all who suffer goes so far that he identifies himself with them: "I was sick and you visited me." His preferential love for the sick has not ceased through the centuries to draw the very special attention of Christians toward all those who suffer in body and soul. It is the source of tireless efforts to comfort them.
The apostolic Church has its own rite for the sick, attested to by St. James: "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 sins, he will be forgiven." Tradition has recognized in this rite one of the seven sacraments.
