"The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. 'By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.'" (C.C.C. 1421; 1499)
The purpose of the anointing of the sick is to bring spiritual and sometimes physical strength during an illness, especially when one is near death or has a terminal illness. The anointing is performed by a priest to convey God’s grace, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
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Does a person have to be dying to receive this sacrament?
No, as soon as your loved one begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age the Sacrament of Anointing can be administered.
Does God Always Heal?
Because we fear the loss of our loved one, it is normal to expect the miracle of divine healing with every anointing, but God heals the physical infirmities that afflict our bodies according to His will. As such, God's healing in the infirmed may come as peaceful acceptance of God's will whatever it may be, whether recovery or death.
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If your loved one is hospitalized with a terminal illness, or is at home and hospice has been called in, please call to request an anointing by one of our priests.