Anointing of the Sick
"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." Lumen
Gentium 11.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
provides an
explanation of the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick and a summary of
those who can receive it. If you would like to request anointing
please provide:
- the name of the person to be anointed,
- an address specific enough that the priest can find them,
- whether the person is able to receive Viaticum (the Eucharist).
It is also appropriate to prepare a table on
which to place the Holy Oil and the Eucharist, as well as a quiet and
reverent atmosphere. If the Body of Christ is to be given in the
Eucharist it is fitting that Our Lord be welcomed with a lit candle
(assuming circumstances such as smoke alarms allow). Likewise, if a
person may have trouble swallowing, a drink or "hardened water" should
be provided.
Hospitals will usually have a Catholic
priest assigned to them. If the hospital chaplain cannot be contacted or
in other circumstances, please ring any nearby Catholic parish.