“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…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.” CCC#1499
The roots of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick are found in the New Testament Letter of James: “Is there anyone sick among you? Let him send for the presbyters of the Church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, they will be forgiven.” (James 5:14-15)
Thus, we are encouraged to celebrate and participate in this sacrament when sickness occurs. Anyone who is seriously ill, whose serious illness has changed, who is facing surgery, or the loss of health due to aging can and should avail themselves of the grace of the Sacrament of Anointing.
Visitation Parish celebrates the Anointing of the Sick communally three or four times a year at noon on a weekday.
Anyone who wishes to be anointed at any other time should contact Fr. Greg or Jenny Greene to make arrangements to be anointed. The sacrament may be celebrated at church, in a home, hospital or nursing home.
Fr. Greg Haskamp 753-5155 x1302 or frgreg@church.visitation.org
Jenny Greene 753-5155 x1309 or jennifer@church.visitation.org