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| ANOINTING OF THE SICK
"Christ's compassion toward the sick and his healings of almost every kind of infirmity are a resplendent sign that 'God has visited his people.'" (Catechism of the Catholic Church,#1503) The Anointing of the Sick is the third of the sacraments of healing (Sacrament of Eucharist and Sacrament of Penance make present the Lord's healing touch as well) and carries on the healing mission of the Church.
The Anointing of the Sick "is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1514). Those who are preparing for surgery or weakened by age or illness may wish to celebrate the sacrament. Only bishops and priests may be ministers of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, and it may be celebrated several times by an individual believer.
The effects of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick are:
- the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his/her own good and that of the whole church;
- giving the sick person the strength, peace and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age;
- imparting the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance;
- providing for the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his/her soul;
- helping the sick person in the preparation for passing over to eternal life. (Catholic Catechism for Adults, page 255)
Those who anticipate surgery, or family members of those who are in a weakened condition, may wish to contact the parish to celebrate the sacrament. Residents at Christian Community Home celebrate the sacrament twice a year and as needed.
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