Anointing of the Sick:  By which a special grace is conferred during grave illness or old age.

The fruits of this Sacrament are:

•  Unity with the Passion of Christ, for the sick person’s own good and that of the Church
• Strength, peace, and courage to endure as a Christian the suffering of illness or old age
• Forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the Sacrament of Penance.
• Restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of the soul
• Preparation for entering eternal life.

Anointing of the Sick

Are there any who are sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil  in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith will save the sick persons, and the Lord will raise them up; and if they have committed any sins, their sins will be forgiven them. James 5:13

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was instituted by Christ as the means to grant healing to the infirmed, forgiveness of venial sins when anointed, strength to bear the sufferings of sickness and old age, and to assist those who are dying to have the strength and hope for their final journey home to heaven.

Here at Saint James Parish we offer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick every first Sunday of the Month at the 4:30 pm Vigil Mass.

If you are admitted to the hospital, please contact the Parish and Father will come over as soon as possible to administer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Be sure that you tell the hospital that you are Catholic and would like to see a priest. Some hospitals always have a Catholic Priest on call. Feel free to ask the priest of the hospital to administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. But, please inform us here at the parish if you would like to see our parish priest.

If you or someone you know is in a nursing home facility and has not received the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick or it has been a while since they had, please contact the Parish Office and Father will arrange a time to go over and administer the Sacrament.

If you or a loved one would like to be anointed with the Sacrament of Anointing, please let the priest know before Mass begins; or, just come forward at the end of Mass before the final blessing when Father invites those who would like to receive the Sacrament up to the altar.

When you or a loved one are in danger of death, it is very important that you call the parish and have Father come over to wherever you are - hospital, home or nursing home. At the moment of death, a priest can hear your sins and absolve them, anoint you, give you Holy Communion (Viaticum) and grant you the Apostolic Pardon; the remission of any temporal punishment due to sin (i.e.; remit any Purgatory time).

Common Questions about the Anointing of the Sick:

1. Do I need to be in danger of death or dying to receive the Sacrament of Anointing? No! Anyone who is ill, physically, emotionally, psychologically can receive the Sacrament.
2. How often can I receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick? As often as you are sick or before a surgery.
3. Should I receive the Sacrament of the Sick before I get surgery? Yes! Absolutely!
4. Who can administer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick? Any Catholic Priest or Bishop.
5. If I am homebound will Father come to my home and administer the Sacrament? Yes!
6. Should I go to confession before I receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick? Because the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick only forgives venial sins. It is important that before receiving the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick that you first go to the Sacrament of Confession if you are conscious of having committed a mortal sin that you have not already brought to the Sacrament of Confession.

Peace,

Father David Mary