Our Lady of the Holy Rosary — St. Richard Catholic Church

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary-St. Richard Catholic Church

February 4, 2018—Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time

THE SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK*

How have you experienced healing in your life?

The Sacrament of Anointing brings the love and compassionate presence of Christ into the midst of suffering of those who are ill, elderly, or dying. Jesus came to heal the whole person—body and soul.

Throughout the Gospels, we hear about the healing power of Jesus. At times, Jesus merely spoke some words to accomplish a healing. Other times he touched the person to bring about a cure. His cures were signs of the presence of the Reign of God.

In the Church’s Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, through the ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who speaks words of compassion and who touches the sick to heal them from sin, and sometimes even from physical, mental, or emotional infirmities.

The appropriate time to receive the Sacrament of Anointing is when a Christian becomes seriously ill, or begins to be in danger of death because of illness or old age. The Sacrament may be received each time the believer becomes seriously ill or an illness worsens. It is a liturgical and communal celebration whether it is received in a home, hospital, or a church (cf. Jas 5:14-15).

Only bishops and priests are the ministers of the Sacrament of Anointing to the Sick, using oil blessed by the bishop. The celebration begins with the penitential rite, followed by the Liturgy of the Word. Scripture awakens the faith of the sick person and their family members, friends, and the community who are present to pray to Christ for the strength of the Holy Spirit. The priest proceeds to lay his hands on the head of the sick person. He then proceeds to anoint, with the blessed
Oil of the Sick, the forehead and hands of the sick person. The priest accomplishes these acts with the words “Through this 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.”

For those who are near death, the Church offers Penance, Anointing of the Sick, and the Eucharist as Viaticum (food for the journey) given at the end of life. Special words proper to Viaticum are added: “May the Lord Jesus protect you and lead you to everlasting life.”

The grace of this Sacrament unites the sick person to Christ’s Passion, for the person’s well-being and that of the Church; it gives the person the strength, peace,
and courage to endure the sufferings of illness or old age; it imparts the forgiveness of sins if the sick person was unable to obtain it through the Sacrament of Penance; and it helps the person to prepare for passing over to eternal life.

*U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults, Ch. 19.

 Reflect on Your Experience

If you have ever been present at the Sacrament of Anointing the Sick,
what were your impressions?

What healing do you seek at this time of your life?

"The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick" (USCCB)

"Pope Francis Explains The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick"

"Sacraments 101 - Anointing of the Sick (who's it for)"

"Anointing of the Sick" (Columbia Catholic Ministry)

"Anointing of the Sick" (Pax Christi Catholic Community)

"The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick" - CCC 1499-1532 (Fr. Daniel Mahan)

"Deep Within"

"On Eagles Wings"

"You'll Never Walk Alone" (Boyle)

"He Will Carry You"

"Anointing of the Sick: Joined to Christ, Witnesses of Hope and Healing" (USCCB)

"Unción de los Enformos" (USCCB)

"Order for the Blessing of the Sick "(USCCB)

"Prayers for the Sick" (USCCB)

If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at: aff@hrsrcs.org