ANOINTING OF THE SICK

“Is anyone sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the Church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick man; and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins he will be forgiven” (Letter of James 5).

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is the anointing which is given by a priest to those who are seriously ill. A sick person may be anointed before surgery, whenever a serious illness is the reason for the surgery. Elderly people may be anointed if they have become notably weakened, even though no serious illness is present. Sick children may be anointed if they have sufficient use of reason to be strengthened by this sacrament.
What are the effects of this Sacrament?
The effects of this Sacrament are to comfort and strengthen those who are seriously ill, to forgive their sins and to restore their health if this is God’s will, or to prepare them for eternal life.
Celebration of the Sacrament
If you wish to receive the sacrament please contact the parish office or speak to one of the priests. Each year, one Sunday in September, the anointing of the sick is celebrated within a special Mass at Hayes. In addition to those who are sick, carers, family and friends and especially doctors, nurses and other careers from the wider parish are encouraged to participate.