Anointing of the Sick

What is the Sacrament of the
Anointing of the Sick?
- We invite you to celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick on the 12th of each month at 7:00 p.m. in St. Joseph's Chapel.
  
   The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confers upon the Christian a special grace to face the difficulties inherent in serious illness or old age. It is also known as the "sacred viaticum," because it is the resource, the "refreshment" that the Christian receives to be able to endure with strength and in a state of grace a moment of transition, especially the transition to the Father's House through death.
  
   The essential element of the sacrament consists of anointing the sick person's forehead and hands, accompanied by a liturgical prayer offered by the priest or bishop, the only ministers who can administer this sacrament.
- What is the Anointing of the Sick?
  It is the sacrament given by the Church to bring healing of soul, spirit, and body to a Christian in a state of serious illness or old age.
- How many times can a Christian receive the sacrament?
  As many times as necessary, provided the person is in serious condition. It can be received even if the serious condition is a relapse of a previous illness for which the sacrament had already been received.
- What are the effects of the Anointing of the Sick?
  The anointing unites the sick person to the Passion of Christ for their own good and the good of the whole Church; it brings comfort, peace, and strength; it obtains the forgiveness of sins (if the sick person has not been able to receive it through the sacrament of reconciliation), restores bodily health (if it is beneficial to spiritual health), and prepares the person for the passage to eternal life.