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Anointing of the Sick
We all experience our mortality when we become gravely ill or sick. We know that the reality of life will one day bring us to the reality of death. If we are not gravely ill or only experiencing mental, emotional or physical pain in our lives, as Catholics we remember to turn to the Lord and join our suffering to His. Our Lord, in his suffering, death and ressurection teaches us that even he was not immune to our human suffering, but showed us how this suffering could lead to a deeper relationship with God and the Church. Thus our Catholic Church beleives that the Sacrament of the Aoninting of the Sick is one of the most intimate ways to know Our Lord Jesus. Through this Sacrament the entire Church asks God to aleviate your suffering, to figive your sins and lead you to eternal Salvation. The anointing with holy oil blessed by the Bsihop and the prayers of the Church lift us up from our earthly suffering and sickness and help us place those worries and cares into the loving arms of our Savior. At one time called "The Last Rites" this Sacrament was usually the final Sacrament that a Catholic received before dying. However, you do not have to be at the end of your life or have a fatal and terminal illness to receive the Sacrament. The Church teaches clearly that the anointing and its accompanying prayers have as their objective the restoration of  your health in mind and body. Therefore, if you are sick and not in danger of immediate death you can and should ask for the power of this Sacrament to work in your life. If you are in the hospital, plaiing to have surgery, have a chronic illness or are advanced in age you are welcome to ask for the sacrament as many times as you need. If you are close to death then you should never postpone the reception of this Sacrament. As we share in the Cross of Christ we ready ourselves to share in His ressurection. Simply ask a priest or one of our ministers to the sick to arrange for this Sacrament and be ready to receive the miricle of Christ's healing touch in your life. For more information on the The Sacrament of the anointing of the Sick please go to our Link to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (para.1499-1532)  |
