The Sacrament of Anointing is one of the two Sacraments of Healing.  Most of us usually only think to ask for Anointing when someone we love is nearing death through sickness or old age.  However, when we do this, we miss out on graces (or gifts) that God desires to give us in this time of need and suffering.  The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is not a sacrament only for those who are at the point of death. 

"The special grace of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects: the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for their 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 their soul, the preparation for passing over to eternal life."  (Catechism of the Catholic Church,1532)

For the emergency number, dial the parish office (651-429-5337) and press 7.  Please call the Emergency number only in cases of an serious accident or last rites in danger of death.  Otherwise, call the Parish Office to schedule a visit.

Who is encouraged to receive Anointing of the Sick?

• Individuals whose health is seriously impaired by sickness, health diagnosis or old age

• Individuals who have fallen ill after being anointed previously

• Individuals who are having surgery

• Elderly people who have become notably weakened even though no serious illness is present

• Children who are sick or having surgery, if they are baptized and beyond the age of reason (7 years old or older).  

Is any among you sick?  Let him call for the elders 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. (James 5:14-15)

Why do we celebrate this Sacrament?

• A particular gift of the Holy Spirit: The first grace of this sacrament is one of strengthening, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of serious illness or the frailty of old age...This assistance from the Lord by the power of his Spirit is meant to lead the sick person to healing of the soul, but also of the body if such is God's will.  (CCC, 1520)

•  Union with the passion of Christ. By the grace of this sacrament the sick person receives the strength and the gift of uniting himself more closely to Christ's Passion...Suffering, a consequence of original sin, acquires a new meaning; it becomes a participation in the saving work of Jesus. (CCC, 1521)

• An ecclesial grace. By celebrating this sacrament the Church, in the communion of saints, intercedes for the benefit of the sick person, and he, for his part, though the grace of this sacrament, contributes to the sanctification of the Church and to the good of all men for whom the Church suffers and offers herself through Christ to God the Father. (CCC, 1522)

When this Sacrament is celebrated near death:

• A preparation for the final journey. When the Sacrament is given to those at the point of departing this life; so it is also called sacramentum exeuntium (the sacrament of those departing). The Anointing of the Sick completes our conformity to the death and Resurrection of Christ, just as Baptism began it. It completes the holy anointings that mark the whole Christian life: that of Baptism which sealed the new life in us, and that of Confirmation which strengthened us for the combat of this life. This last anointing fortifies the end of our earthly life like a solid rampart for the final struggles before entering the Father's house.  (CCC, 1523)