THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK

Taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church

1499 - By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ."

1513 - The Apostolic Constitution Sacram unctionem infirmorum, following upon the Second Vatican Council, established that henceforth, in the Roman Rite, the following be observed: 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 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".

1516 - Only priests (presbyters and bishops) are ministers of the Anointing of the Sick. It is the duty of the pastors to instruct the faithful on the benefits of this sacrament. The faithful should encourage the sick to call for a priest to receive this sacrament. The sick should prepare themselves to receive it with good dispositions, assisted by their pastor and the whole ecclesial community, which is invited to surround the sick in a special way through their prayers and fraternal attention.

1524 - In addition to the Anointing of the Sick, the Church offers those who are about the leave this life the Eucharist as Viaticum. Communion in the body and blood of Christ, received at this moment of "passing over" to the Father, has a particular significance and importance. It is the seed of eternal life and the power of resurrection, according to the words of the Lord; "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." The sacrament of Christ once dead and now risen, the Eucharist is here the sacrament of passing over from death to life, from this world to the Father.

[ Baptism ] [ Confirmation ] [ Eucharist ] [ Penance ] [ Anointing of Sick ] [ Holy Orders ] [ Matrimony ]

[ Home ] [ Site Map ] [ Location ] [ Bulletin - May 4 ] [ Bulletin - May 11 ] [ May 2008 Calendar ] [ Sacrament Dates & Meetings ] [ Photo Gallery ] [ St. Therese ] [ Daughters of St. Mary of Leuca ] [ The Rosary ] [ Sacraments ] [ Church Seasons ] [ Parish History ] [ Parish Directory ] [ Kid's Pages! ] [ School & Family Activities ] [ Links of Interest ]