“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the presbyters 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” (Jas 5:14-15). The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick has as its purpose the conferral of a special grace on the Christian experiencing the difficulties inherent in the condition of grave illness or old age.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1526-1527
When someone falls seriously ill, is about to undergo surgery, is feeling the effects of old age, or is close to death it is time for Holy Anointing. In this sacrament we are:
- United more closely to the passion of Christ.
- Given spiritual strength, peace and courage to endure the sufferings and/or illness we experience.
- If we are unable to confess our sins then our sins are forgiven, although we must confess before Holy Anointing if we can.
- We also hope that it be in God’s divine plan to restore us to health by this sacrament, perhaps physically but certainly spiritually.
- If we are close to death then through the sacrament of anointing God prepares us for the approaching moment when we will enter eternity with him.
The sacrament of the sick is readily available. If you need a priest in an emergency and are in the hospital ask a member of your family or a family friend to contact the priest and he will come as quickly as he can.