The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
Christ’s Presence in Times of Illness
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick brings the presence, comfort, and healing grace of Christ to those who are seriously ill or experiencing the difficulties of old age.
Through this sacrament, the Church entrusts those who are sick to Christ, asking Him to strengthen, comfort, and save them. The sacrament unites the suffering of the sick person more closely with the Passion of Christ and reminds us that we are never alone in times of illness and suffering.
The Anointing of the Sick is one of the two Sacraments of Healing, together with the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.
What Is the Anointing of the Sick?
The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of healing instituted by Christ and entrusted to His Church.
It is given to Christians who are experiencing serious illness or the difficulties associated with old age. Through the prayer of the Church and the anointing with blessed oil, the sick person receives a special grace from the Holy Spirit.
The sacrament brings spiritual strength, peace, and courage to those experiencing serious illness and helps them place their suffering in union with Christ.
The Anointing of the Sick is not only a sacrament for those who are near death. The Church encourages the faithful to receive it when serious illness or old age creates a particular need for the grace and strength of the sacrament.
Who Should Receive the Sacrament?
The Anointing of the Sick may be received by a member of the faithful who:
- Is seriously ill.
- Is facing a serious medical condition.
- Is experiencing significant decline because of old age.
- Is preparing to undergo a serious operation because of a serious illness.
- Has experienced a worsening of a serious illness after previously receiving the sacrament.
The sacrament may be received again when a person recovers and later experiences another serious illness, or when the same illness becomes more serious.
The Anointing of the Sick should not be delayed simply because someone is approaching the end of life. When a person is seriously ill, it is appropriate to contact a priest and ask about receiving the sacrament.
The Grace of the Sacrament
The Anointing of the Sick gives a special grace of the Holy Spirit.
Through this sacrament, the sick person receives:
- Strength, peace, and courage to face the difficulties of serious illness or old age.
- A deeper union with the Passion of Christ, allowing suffering to be united with Christ’s suffering.
- Strength against fear, discouragement, and anxiety, particularly in the face of serious illness.
- Forgiveness of sins when the person is unable to receive the Sacrament of Penance.
- Restoration of physical health, when it is conducive to the salvation of the person’s soul.
- Preparation for eternal life when the person is nearing the end of earthly life.
The sacrament does not guarantee physical healing. Rather, it entrusts the sick person to Christ and asks for whatever healing is according to God’s will.
The Sacrament and the Forgiveness of Sins
The Anointing of the Sick is not a replacement for the Sacrament of Penance when a person is able to go to Confession.
When possible, the celebration of Anointing may be preceded by the Sacrament of Penance. However, if a seriously ill person is unable to receive Confession, the Anointing of the Sick can bring forgiveness of sins when the person is properly disposed.
How the Sacrament Is Celebrated
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is celebrated by a priest.
The priest prays over the sick person and anoints the person’s forehead and hands with blessed oil. The anointing is accompanied by the prayer of the Church asking God to grant the sick person the special grace of the sacrament.
The sacrament may be celebrated for an individual or for a group of people and may take place in a church, home, hospital, nursing facility, or another appropriate setting.
Do Not Wait Until the Last Moment
Families sometimes wait until a person is near death before contacting a priest. The Church encourages the faithful to request the Anointing of the Sick when serious illness begins, rather than waiting until the final moments of life.
If someone is seriously ill, preparing for a serious operation, or experiencing significant decline because of age, it is appropriate to contact the parish and request the sacrament.
When death is approaching, the priest may also provide the appropriate prayers and sacraments for someone nearing the end of earthly life, including the Eucharist as Viaticum, when possible.
Anointing of the Sick and the Christian Community
Illness affects not only the person who is sick but also their family and loved ones.
The Church accompanies those who are sick through prayer, the Sacraments, pastoral care, and acts of charity. When a member of the parish is suffering, the entire Christian community is called to respond with compassion and prayer.
Those who receive the Anointing of the Sick are also united more closely with Christ and, through Him, with the Church. Their suffering can become an offering united with the Passion of Christ for their own good and for the good of the Church.
Requesting the Anointing of the Sick
If you or a loved one is seriously ill, facing a serious operation, or experiencing significant decline due to age, please contact the parish office and request to speak with a priest about receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
The sacrament can be requested for a parishioner at home, in a hospital, nursing facility, or other appropriate location, according to the circumstances.
Contact the Parish Office
St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish
Phone: 203-469-0764
Please let the parish office know that you are requesting the Anointing of the Sick and that you would like to speak with a priest.
In an emergency or when someone is in immediate danger of death, please make the request clear to the parish office so that the need can be addressed as promptly as possible.
A Sacrament of Hope
The Anointing of the Sick reminds us that Christ remains close to us in every circumstance of life, including illness, suffering, and old age.
Through this sacrament, the Church places the sick person into the hands of Christ, asking Him to bring healing, strength, peace, and courage.
Whether God grants physical healing or calls the person to Himself, the grace of the sacrament gives the Christian the strength to remain united to Christ and to place their life and suffering in His hands.
Learn More
The teachings presented on this page are based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1499–1532.