ANOINTING OF THE SICK

The sacrament of anointing is the proper sacrament for those whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age.  Through this sacrament the Church supports the sick in their struggle against illness and continues Christ’s work of healing.  This sacrament should not be delayed until the last minutes of a sick person’s life.  A return to physical health may follow the reception of this sacrament if it will be beneficial to the sick person’s salvation.

Who may be anointed?   

            +Those whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age.

            +A sick person who recovers after being anointed and then falls ill or if

  during the same illness the person’s condition becomes more serious.

+A sick person may be anointed before surgery whenever a serious illness

  is the reason for the surgery.

+Elderly people may be anointed if they have become notably weakened

   even though no serious illness is present.

If you or someone you know needs to be anointed, please call your parish priest.  If the illness is an emergency, and you cannot reach your parish priest, most city hospitals have a Catholic priest on call.

Each year the World Day of the Sick is held on February 11.  At St. Benedict Chapel during the 12:15 PM Mass on Saturday, February 9 we will mark this day by celebrating the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick during the Mass (after the homily). 

The following should be noted: 

+Sick children may be anointed if they sufficient use of reason to be

  strengthened by this sacrament.

+Sick people who, although they have lost consciousness or the use

  of reason, would, as Christian believers, probably have asked for it if they

  were in control of their faculties.

+Those who have died are not anointed.  The prayers of the dead are

   prayed.

Please ask me if you have any questions about the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

Fr. Leo Hofmann

Chaplain of St. Benedict’s Chapel