“”By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer 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.”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1499)
The Anointing of the Sick was formerly reserved for those who were dying, hence previous names such as ‘Extreme Unction’ and the ‘Last Rites’. Now the Anointing is available not just to those in imminent danger of death, but to those who are seriously ill.
The Anointing of the Sick (sometimes called the ‘Sacrament of the Sick’) is conferred only by a priest and brings spiritual comfort to those who are coping with seriously mental or physical illness, those facing a serious operation, or who may be in danger of death. The priest anoints the sick person with oil on the forehead and on the hands, signifying the strengthening grace of God, giving peace and courage. The
priest also lays his hands on him or her as a sign of blessing, healing of the soul and (if that is God’s will) healing of the mind or body.
Please contact the parish priest, if you, or somebody else in our community, are coping with serious illness, or surgery, and are in need of the Anointing of the Sick.