Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick

"...People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed."       
     ~ Matthew 14:35-36

The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient.

You are encouraged to participate in this service if you are: ill, of advanced age, a young child with a life threatening illness, an older child requiring adult care, enduring chronic illness, preparing for an operation, undergoing general anesthesia, or have had other health concerns.

When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.