“Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.” (James 5:14-15)
The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick (also known as Extreme Unction) 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.
The proper time for receiving this holy anointing has certainly arrived when the believer begins to be in danger of death because of illness or old age.
Each time a Christian falls seriously ill, he may receive the Anointing of the Sick, and also when, after he has received it, the illness worsens.
Only Priests (and Bishops) can give the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, using oil blessed by the Bishop, or if necessary by the celebrating Priest himself.
The celebration of the Anointing of the Sick consists essentially in the anointing of the forehead and hands of the sick person (in the Roman Rite) or of other parts of the body (in the Eastern rite), the anointing being accompanied by the liturgical prayer of the celebrant asking for the special grace of this Sacrament.
The special grace of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church; the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age; the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the Sacrament of Penance; the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul; and the preparation for passing over to Eternal life.
Those who are seriously ill or who may be in danger of death, should call, or have their loved ones or caretakers contact the Parish Office to request the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick by calling 337.394.6021 or by e-mailing [email protected].