The Sacrament of the Sick
The priests of the parish attend to our sick at home, Hospital Chaplains attend parishioners in hospitals; (Please contact a member of the nursing staff in hospitals to contact the chaplain on call) Some people like to receive the sacrament of the sick and are strengthened and affirmed by it. If you would like to receive the sacrament of the sick or know someone who would, please contact any of the priests or the parish office
What Is the Sacrament of the Sick
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is in response to the instruction in the letter of St James in the New Testament: (James 5:14-15) The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is exactly what it says. It is a prayerful celebration for someone or for a group of people who are ill and are anointed by the priest with the Holy Oil of Infirmorum. It is not a sign that someone is dying as it was perceived in the past. It is not a magical ritual; the person doesn’t automatically get better immediately after an anointing. God’s healing and loving presence are called upon that the sick person might be raised up and restored to health.
Symbolism
The words of blessing over the oil say it all. It is “oil intended to ease the sufferings of your people”. Oil soothes and heals. Oil blessed for the sick is a sign of the Anointed One (Messiah) of God. The person so anointed receives the healing, saving power of the One who saves.
Oil
The oil that is used is Olive Oil. The Bishop and priests bless it at the ‘Chrism Mass’ on Holy Thursday in the Cathedral. The holy oils are then taken every year to each parish and given to each hospital chaplain for use throughout the year in the Sacrament of the Sick.
How?
A person is anointed on the forehead and the palms of the hands while the priest says: “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you by the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin, save you and raise you up.”
Who Can Be Anointed?
Anyone in ‘serious illness’, those who are infirm, in advanced years, or anyone prior to surgery. (It is not only for when a person is in ‘danger of death’.)