Sickness prevents us from living a full life. A sick person shares in Jesus’ suffering. The Anointing of the Sick is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death, but also for those suffering with an illness. In the past there has been a tendency to delay requesting this sacrament until the person was at the point of death. This practice could deprive the person of much needed support in coping with illness and even the spiritual vitality to recover from the illness.

WHO MAY BE ANOINTED?

Baptized members of the Christian faithful who have reached the age of reason and who begin to be in danger due to sickness or old age may receive the sacrament of anointing. Participation in the rites is encouraged broadly. For example:

• The elderly who are weakened, even though no notable illness is present, may choose to participate in the ritual.
• Those who face surgery due to serious illness
• Those who suffer serious mental illness

Please feel free to contact the parish office if you or a member of your family is in need of the sacrament, AS IN ADVANCE AS POSSIBLE when the sick person is still in a conscious state.