“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 committed any sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:14-15).
Jesus’ ministry of healing those who were ill and infirmed was very evident in the Gospels. Many stories from Scripture relate how Jesus healed, both physically and spiritually. The Church continues to carry forward this ministry of healing. The above Scripture passage is the basis for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
The sacrament has changed over the years. At one time the anointing was referred to as Extreme Unction, and was given to those near death. Today, the Church teaches that there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A person should be anointed before a serious surgery. An older person may be anointed if they are in a weakened condition even if there is no serious illness that is present. A person can also be anointed for the same illness if the person’s condition worsens.
Only priests and bishops can be the ministers of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, although a lay person can perform the prayers of the dying and can give Viaticum.
Boyne Valley Catholic Community urges family members and/or persons who are ill to call the office to receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. The pastor will be available to come to the home or the hospital for the Anointing. The sick can also be anointed during a weekday or weekend Mass. Communal Anointing of the Sick occurs during a weekend liturgy twice a year. Boyne Valley Catholic Community is also responsible for the spiritual well being of the residents at the Brooke. The Anointing of the Sick is administered twice a year to all Catholic residents and when needed for individuals.
For more information regarding the Anointing of the Sick, please call the parish offices