Anointing of the Sick

James 5:13-15

“Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. 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.”

The second sacrament of healing, Anointing of the Sick is a effective and compelling sign of Jesus’ spirit that brings strength and healing to the sick, the elderly and the dying.

Overtime the name of this sacrament has changed.  It was once called “extreme unction”, the last anointing, and has also been referred to as the “last rites”.  The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill by anointing them on the forehead and hands with duly blessed oil-pressed from olives or from other plants-saying, only once “Through his 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.”

If you, or know someone, who is planning to be admitted to a hospital, before medical procedures, have serious illness or is advanced in years, please contact your parish church or hospital chaplain.

For more information on Anointing of the Sick, please contact your parish church office, click on the below links or call the Office of Religious Education and Faith Formation office at the St Joseph Center at (318) 445-6424, ext. 207.

https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/anointing-of-the-sick

https://catholic-link.org/illness-sacrament-anointing-of-the-sick/