Jesus always had a special compassion for the sick and those who suffer. In the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, through the ministry of the priest, Jesus touches the sick to heal them from sin and even from physical ailments.

When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God’s will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.

The faithful are encouraged to receive the special graces available through this sacrament when they are in need. It may be received more than once, and is not only reserved for the elderly or actively dying. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is all that is necessary.

The sacrament can be celebrated communally during or after Mass for anyone who is seriously ill (physically or mentally), for those facing serious surgery, those in chronic pain, and the elderly. This sacrament may also be celebrated individually (any time of the year) by calling the parish priest.