Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was once referred to as “the last rites.” However, the sacrament is not only for those who are at the point of death. As soon as anyone begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, or is advanced in years, the time for receiving the sacrament has arrived. The sacrament can be given well in advance of one’s final hours.

Only priests are ministers of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. At this time, if they are physically able, individuals also have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Penance from the priest. Though this sacrament offers special graces to those who receive it, it is not required that a dying person receive the sacrament before death.

This sacrament offers those who receive it a particular gift of the Holy Spirit.  This grace is one of strengthening, peace, and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of serious illness or the frailty of old age. This sacrament allows the sick person to receive the strength and gift of uniting him/herself to the passion and death of Christ. This sacrament completes our conformity to the death and resurrection of Christ, which began with the sacrament of Baptism.                   (From  Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part II, Article 5).

We recommend that requests for Anointing are made earlier in one’s illness so we can be certain a priest is available to you. Then there is an opportunity to have family present when the sacrament is received. Certainly when someone is at the end of life, individuals and families can still ask for a priest again to visit. With short notice, it can sometimes be difficult, with only our three active priests covering a large region, though we do our best to get a priest to you. If at the time of someone’s passing a priest is not available, we can send a deacon or lay person who can pray with the sick person and his/her family. In that case, once we determine a priest is not available, someone from the church would call and see if sending someone else would be helpful for the family. 

If you or your family would like someone to bring you Holy Eucharist, set an appointment for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to be administered or to talk with a priest, if you have questions or concerns, or would like someone to pray with you, please call (207) 725-2624 to speak with the Pastoral Life Coordinator.