The Sacrament of the Sick

“Very often, illness provokes a search for God…”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1501)

Throughout his earthly mission, Christ spent a great deal of time bringing healing and consolation to those who were sick. The Church has been charged by Christ to continue in this mission of compassion. Throughout all of our history, dating even back into the New Testament, we have gathered together the ill and the healthy for the celebration of the Sacrament of the Sick.

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a sacred gift to those among us struggling with illness. It is not Last Rites, nor is it giving up, but rather, it is living in community with one another and asking for the grace of God to enter into our illness. The Sacrament of the Sick is a particular gift of the Holy Spirit (CCC 1519) in which the anointed receives strengthening, peace, and courage in the confrontation of illness. In addition to inviting God’s presence into the illness on a bodily level, it does so on a spiritual level as well by praying for the healing of our souls and thus participates in our baptism to cleanse us of sin. Furthermore, the sick person who receives this sacrament contributes to the overall well-being of the Church by contributing to its sanctification. (CCC 1522).
The Sacrament of the Sick is intended for all those among us who are suffering from serious illnesses, particularly those with a potentially life-threatening condition.

If you are in need of the Sacrament of Annointing of the Sick please call the Parish Office at 919-847-8205.