"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" ... "Like all the sacraments the Anointing of the Sick is a liturgical and communal celebration…It is very fitting to celebrate it within the Eucharist"
Spiritual Healing
The healing that occurs in this sacrament of anointing is not necessarily physical healing. While we believe that physical healing can occur through the great power of God, the grace that is infused through this special sacrament is the reminder of the eternal presence of God in our human suffering.
When the priest blesses the oil of anointing, he asks God to "send the power of your Holy Spirit, the Consoler, into this precious oil. Make this oil a remedy for all who are anointed with it; heal them in body, in soul and in spirit, and deliver them from every affliction" (Pastoral Care of the Sick, #123).
"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"
What about the Dying?
While the sacrament of the sick is no longer reserved for the dying, it is still an important obligation of every Christian to help their fellow Christian receive viaticum. The Anointing of the Sick is given at the beginning of an illness, and the Eucharist is given as viaticum, or food for the journey at the very end. It is very important for the dying to receive Holy Communion as they prepare for death. Never hesitate to call the parish to request communion and the Apostolic Pardon for someone who is dying. Sometime because of modern medical intervention, people cannot easily receive the Eucharist in their last days. It is particularly valuable to see if it is possible for a person to receive the Eucharist possibly for the last time before they are intubated on a ventilator or put on a feeding tube. With some advance notice Communion can be brought by a priest right after the morning Mass to a person who can no longer swallow solid food under the form of the Precious Blood.
When to be Anointed?
"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."
Good times to consider requesting the anointing of the sick before any serious surgery or following the diagnosis of a serious medical condition.
The Sacaraments at St. Joseph: Anointing of the Sick
Individual Anointing
The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is for those who are in danger of death from a chronic condition, a specific illness or advancing years. Our hospitals contact us in case of emergency and we are on call to give the sacraments to those gravely ill. Individual anointing here in the parish is administered to all of our nursing homes and shut-ins each year during the Lent & Easter Seasons and upon request in case of emergency.
Communal Anointing
During the month of November the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated during a morning Mass, followed by a luncheon. This sacrament is available for all those who are in need of this grace to cope with the conditions previously mentioned.