Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church,
and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord,
and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up.
If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven (James 5: 14-15)
By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayers of the priests, the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them.
Through the anointing, the sick person receives the grace of comfort, peace and courage that comes from the Holy Spirit.
Any parishioner who is struggling with disease or illness, or for other causes needing healing, should contact the parish for the sacrament.
What is the effect of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick?
The prayed-for effect is that, if it is God's will, the person will be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect is 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. One special grace is the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his good and the whole of the Church.
When should we receive this Sacrament?
The proper time for receiving this holy anointing has certainly arrived when the believer begins to be in danger of death because of illness or old age. A person should be anointed before surgery for a serious illness.
What are the essential elements of the Rite?
The rite includes the anointing on the forehead and hands of the sick or other parts of the body, accompanied by the liturgical prayer that asks for the grace of the Sacrament.
Who administers this Sacrament?
Only priests or bishops may administer the Sacrament. The Oil of the Infirmed which is used is blessed by the Bishop at the Chrism Mass before Easter each year.