Who May Receive the Anointing of the Sick?
Anyone who is gravely sick
Anyone who is frail because of old age
Anyone suffering from emotional illness
Anyone anticipating surgery |
Sacrament of Anointing
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The clearest evidence for the Anointing of
the Sick is found in
James 5:14-15 “Is there any among you sick? Let them
send for the priests 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.”
Formerly, from the Scholastic period until the modern era,
the sacrament was called Extreme Unction or the “Last
Rites”, because
it was seen as a sign of impending death and the last sacramental
action of the Christian life. It was “last” because of
the order in which it was administered: Penance, Communion as Viaticum,
and Anointing. With the revised rite of 1972, the order is now: Penance,
Anointing, and Viaticum.
Anointing now is seen by the Church more properly as a sacrament
of healing and more in conformity with the ancient practice of the
Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls
Viaticum “the
sacrament of passing over from death to life,” (1524). Viaticum
(from the Latin, via tecum, meaning “with you on the way”)
is the last reception of Holy Communion before death.
The anointing is with olive oil blessed by the bishop at the Chrism
Mass. The bishop or priest who administers the sacrament first lays
hands on the head of the sick person, invoking the Holy Spirit. Then
using the oil, he inscribes the forehead and palms of the hands in
the sign of the cross, while he says “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 sacrament grants the grace of comfort, peace and courage to
face sickness and resist temptation to discouragement and despair.
In their sickness the Christian shares in Christ’s suffering.
In this way they help build up the Mystical Body of Christ.
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How Often Can I Receive the Annointing of the Sick?
As often as one is seriously ill, or
As often as one needs to have a surgical procedure
There is no limit to how often one may receive the sacrament. |
For planned hospitalization of a parishioner, call the Pastoral
Center at (817) 927-5383
To schedule a time to celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick (anointing)
prior to admission.
To request a pastoral visit in the hospital
To receive communion in the hospital
To be placed on the prayers-for-the-sick list |
When Should I Receive the Anointing?
As soon as one becomes seriously ill
Before surgery - if it is elective or planned, before admission
to the hospital would be best, either at home or at the church. |
For Emergency Hospitalizations
You or a relative must:
Inform the hospital staff that you wish to see a priest or Catholic
chaplin
Notify the Pastoral Center (817) 927-5383 |
