SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK

"Is there any one sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the church and let the priests pray over them." (James 5:14)

When a Catholic person is sick, the Church anoints the person with blessed oil in a ‘sacrament of healing’ called Anointing of the Sick.

Once better known as Extreme Unction or the Last Rites, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered by a priest. We believe this sacrament was instituted by Christ and is administered by anointing with blessed oil accompanied by prayer.

This sacrament can be received by any baptised person on account of sickness or age or danger, or those that are about to undergo a serious operation even approaching death.

The sacrament offers people of faith strength for the journey they are on for the recovery of their health and for spiritual strength. It is a ritual of healing of body, soul, mind or spirit.

Its effect is the strengthening of the soul, often of the body as well, and in the remission of sins. This rite is one way in which the Church continues the healing ministry of Jesus. The healing offered by Anointing is forgiveness of sins, hope and inner peace, sometimes physical healing, and an assurance of God's steadfast care, even in death.

In the past, this sacrament was mostly kept for those close to death. In more recent years the Church has encouraged greater use of this sacrament for illness which is not necessarily life-threatening. As with all the sacraments, this anointing has significance for the whole Church. It reminds us of our call to wholeness and our call to be a sign of salvation to the world. Wherever there is brokenness, we are to be instruments of Christ's healing touch.

A person may be anointed as part of a parish communal celebration, or at other times by arrangement with Father.

Contact: Parish Office

Email: trafalgar@cdsale.org.au

Phone Number: (03) 56 331 166

Location: 52 Waterloo Road, Trafalgar