Anointing of the Sick
"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 any sins, he will be forgiven."
(James 5:14-15)
"The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick 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, if after he has received it, the illness worsens. Only priests (presbyters and bishops) can give the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, using oil blessed by the bishop, or if necessary, by the celebrating presbyter (priest) himself."
(Catechism of the Catholic Church 1527-1530)
To receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, please call the church office at 740-522-5270.
Anointing of the Dying- Please do not wait to call the priest until a few hours before death, to receive the Anointing of the Sick. There may be times when a priest is not available to administer these Sacraments. Call immediately: upon knowing that an illness is terminal; when someone first enters hospice; when someone has entered last stages of dying; in emergency situations when someone is in immediate danger of death.