Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of Prayer and Sacred Oil

The church encourages all who are ill, about to undergo surgery, or confined to their home due to illness to be prayed over and anointed with sacred oil. This can take place at a parish Mass, in the home or in the hospital.

It is not necessary to wait for the last moment for yourself or a loved one to be anointed and to speak with a priest. Anointing of the Sick is available upon request.

Please notify the Parish Office in case of hospitalization.

Why Be Anointed?

“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 and brother of the Lord…

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.’”

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders 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 one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”

James 5:14-15