On March 28-29 we will offer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick during Mass. Offering the Sacrament is a way for us to become aware of the healing power of our Lord, who sees us in our need and loves us. Anointing at Mass also helps us to remember the power and value of the Body of Christ, the Church. All the faithful are correctly called to participate in Anointing of the Sick, while praying for the whole community to be stronger, even as its most vulnerable members are receiving the Sacrament.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (#1520ff) the effects of the Sacrament are these:  

a) the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church;

b) the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age;

c) the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of penance;

d) the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul; e) the preparation for passing over to eternal life.

Any baptized person who has reached the age of reason (7 years old) who is seriously ill or in danger of death properly receives the Sacrament, as well as the elderly in order to relieve them of the burdens that come with aging. So, it is not proper to anoint babies or small children that have not yet reached age seven (7). Also, persons with chronic diseases, those preparing for surgery or recovering from it, and the addicted who are living through a process of recovery, rightly receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Those persons who battle depression, diabetes and other chronic diseases are encouraged to receive the Anointing of the Sick at the parish in this annual celebration as a member of the community of faith.

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is correctly celebrated while the sick person is aware of the people around them and the prayers and gestures of the Sacrament. We must not wait until the very end of life. Such a view of the Sacrament is antiquated. Today, the Sacrament is seen as a Sacrament of healing and hope for the living, not simply for the dying.

“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 prayer recited while anointing the forehead and hands of the sick person).

Peace, Fr. Andy