Anointing of the Sick

The Anointing of the Sick

For those seeking the sacrament of the sick, please call the Church at 281-358-6637.
 
“The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects: the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church; the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age; the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance; the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul; the preparation for passing over to eternal life." (CCC 1532).
 
The Sacrament is a beautiful expression of the Church at prayer, following the instructions of St. James, “Are there any who are sick among you?  Let them send for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14).  In the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, the priest stands in the person of Christ offering healing and comfort for those who are sick.  In years past, the Sacrament was known as “Last Rites”, but has since been expanded to pray for anyone who is sick.  Please don’t wait until a loved one is at death’s door before calling the Church.

As the Catechism teaches, “"The anointing of the sick is not a Sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him or her to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived" (CCC 1514). 
 
For those who are sick, elderly, expecting surgery, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick can you give great comfort of the Lord’s love and Healing power.