Anointing of the Sick
The Anointing of the sick is one of the seven sacraments. It was instituted by Jesus and through James, the apostle who recommended that: “Is there anyone sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person and the Lord will raise him up.” From ancient times there is evidence of the anointing of the sick in the Church’s tradition. In addition, the teaching concerning the sacrament of anointing is expounded on in the documents of the ecumenical Councils and especially Vatican II.
Suffering and illness have always been among the greatest problems that trouble the human spirit. Christians feel and experience pain as do all other people; yet their faith helps them to grasp more deeply the mystery of suffering and to bear their pain with greater courage. From Christ’s words they know that sickness has meaning and value for their own salvation and for the salvation of the world. Sickness cannot be regarded as a punishment inflicted on individuals for personal sins.
The councils point out that the anointing takes away sins and it also raises up and strengthens the soul of the sick person, arousing a great confidence in the divine mercy of God, thus sustained, the sick person may more easily bear the trials and hardships of sickness, more easily resist temptations and sometimes regain bodily health. The councils also stated that this anointing is to be given to the sick, especially those who are in such a serious condition as to appear to have reached the end of their life. For this reasons it is also called the sacrament of the dying.
Who are to be the recipients of the anointing of the sick?
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The sick are to be anointed. The sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers after being anointed and then again falls ill or if during the same illness the person’s condition becomes even more serious.
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A person may be anointed before surgery.
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Elderly people may be anointed if they have become notably weakened even though no serious illness is present.
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A sick child may be anointed if they have sufficient reasons to be strengthened by this sacrament.
Please email the parish office or call us at 303.355.7361 to schedule a time for the anointing. Anointing can also be done after masses, especially before the person is scheduled for surgery.
