Anointing the Sick

"Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the priests 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).

By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests, the whole church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord.

Anointing, like the other sacraments, can be traced back to the earliest days of the church. During the history of the Church, it received the name "extreme unction" due to the fact that it was often reserved for those in danger of near death. This is still done but the sacrament is not strictly reserved to those near death and can be given in hope of healing and recovery from a serious illness. The sacrament can also be received more than once and is fitting just prior to a major operation.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is generally celebrated within the Sacrament of Anointing as it is a sacrament of healing.  

If you or someone you know, would like to be anointed please contact Fr. Slezak by calling the Parish Office at (315) 823-3410.