Anointing of the Sick

Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  James 5:14

Many Catholics picture the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick as a priest standing at a hospital bedside. Since the Second Vatican Council, Catholics today picture parish members gathered for Eucharist, with people-some visibly ill, some apparently perfectly healthy-coming up the aisle to be anointed, some with their spouses or caregivers.

Receiving the Sacrament

St. John Vianney Parish celebrates the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick every Tuesday morning at 7 a.m. Mass.  There is no read to preregister or call ahead.  Parish members and guests are invited to participate in the sacrament.

Although the sacrament began as a ritual of healing, over time the emphasis shifted to forgiveness of sins on the deathbed, when such forgiveness would be the final preparation for heaven.

The Second Vatican Council returned the original meaning to the sacrament by emphasizing that Anointing is not only for those who are at the point of death, but for anyone who is seriously ill, including mental or spiritual illness.

The change moved the Rite away from private services and back to community-based support and spiritual healing opportunities.