Anointing of the Sick

In this house, O Lord, by the grace of the Holy Spirit,
may the sick be healed
the weak have their strength restored,
the lame begin to run,
the lepers be cleansed,
the blind be made to see,
and demons expelled.

• Ministry to the Sick and Homebound
• Communal Eucharistic Service or individual reception of Communion is available to the homebound of the All Souls’ Parish
• If any parishioner is seriously ill at home or in a hospital, please call the Parish Office to arrange for Communion, Confession or Anointing of the Sick.
• Holy Communion is taken weekly to the sick and homebound following the Sunday Masses, and after week day masses by Eucharistic ministers.  

THE  SACRAMENT   OF  THE  ANOINTING  OF  THE SICK

This Sacrament is one of the two sacraments which heals and saves a baptized person from sin.  The other sacrament of healing is the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation.

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is the extension and the continuation of the Lord's compassion for the sick and suffering.  Jesus Christ so identified and continues to do so himself with the suffering of the sick that he made their sufferings his own.

Similar to all sacraments,  the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confers grace upon the recipient which

• Unites the suffering of the sick person to the sufferings of Christ;
• Strengthens the sick person with courage, patience and peace to endure whatever ailments are caused by disease or other human debilities.
• Forgives all sins for which the sick person has true sorrow and repents, but was unable to make a good confession;
• Restores health for the sick person, if it is God's will, and plan;
• Prepares the sick person for the transition to eternal life.

Who may receive this sacrament?

• Those who are in danger of death from fatal accidents, sickness or old age
• Those undergoing surgery and highly risky medical interventions are usually anointed
• Those who are in convalescent homes could benefit  from this sacrament  especially during the Advent and Lenten season;

CELEBRATION

OF

           The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick   -  Sacrament of Reconciliation  -  Holy Eucharist

• The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is often preceded by the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation, if the sick person's condition allows it.
• In addition to this, it is also followed by the reception of the Holy Eucharist, if the condition of the sick person permits it.
• When Holy Communion is received following the celebration of the sacrament of Anointing, it is called Viaticum.
• Viaticum literally means "food for the traveler".  Holy Communion is food for eternal life and is therefore  appropriately given for those who are about to pass over to eternal life.
• Only priests and bishops may celebrate the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

 ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENT

Many hospitals today do not always have a resident Catholic Priest to minister to the sick and serve their Chaplaincy needs.  Therefore:

• It is suggested for pastoral reasons, to always call upon one of the priests of one's parish to administer these sacraments, as soon as someone is sick and taken to the hospital.
• It is also advisable to make an appointment with one's parish priests and request to administer these sacraments prior to going for a scheduled surgery.

In cases of convalescent homes and other care provider facilities, we recommend that the care givers and the relatives of the sick person (if any) make that contact with the local parish priests and arrange for the administration of this sacrament as soon as possible.