Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is for the following: those who are sick, those facing surgery, those with disease or illness, the aged and those who need God’s healing presence in other areas of their lives.

Suffering and illness have always been some of the greatest problems that trouble humanity. Christians are not immune to this reality but experience illness the same as other people. However, their faith in the crucified and risen Lord helps them to join their sufferings to those of the wounds of Christ and to bear them with hope and courage. During his public ministry, Jesus showed great compassion for all the sick and brought wellbeing to humanity. He also commanded his followers to share his concerns for the bodily, psychological, and spiritual healing of the sick.

A sacrament is a visible sign established by Jesus Christ to confer inward grace. The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered to give strength and comfort to the sick and to mystically unite their suffering with that of Christ. The Anointing of the Sick is administered to bring spiritual as well as physical strength during an illness, in particular, near the time of death. The primary effect of this 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 Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is for the following: those who are sick, those facing surgery, those with disease or illness, the aged and those who need God’s healing presence in other areas of their lives.

Effects of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick

As per the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the effects of the Anointing of the Sick are:“ the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church; the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age; the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of penance; the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul; the preparation for passing over to eternal life” (CCC 1532).

The Letter of St. James states that the sick people are to be anointed by the priests in order to raise them up and save them: “Are there any who are sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick persons, and the Lord will raise them up; and if they have committed any sins, their sins will be forgiven them.” (James 5:13-15).

Contact: Parish Office – springvale@cam.org.au