Anointing of the Sick
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Parishioners who will undergo scheduled surgery or hospitalization are encouraged to receive the sacrament of anointing and healing prior to entering the hospital. Anointing is available after every weekend or weekday Mass. For a home or health care facility visit call the parish office, 724-652-3422, to arrange a visit.
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Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of healing. The Bible contains many stories of Jesus healing and forgiving people. These miracles were motivated by compassion and love and were a sign of the coming of the Kingdom of God – a time when sickness and death would no longer exists.
Jesus invited his disciples into his healing ministry. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus sent out the Twelve on a mission, and it was reported that “they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them (6:13). And after his Resurrection, Jesus says that those who believed in him “will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:18).
We also have a brief glimpse into how healing was a part of the earliest Church. The Letter of James has this passage: “Are any among you sick? He should call for the presbyters of the church, and they pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of the faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. ” (James 5:14-15). It is from these passages that Tradition has recognized the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. -
Is Anointing the same as last rites?
In the past most people associated the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick as Last Rites or it was commonly known as Extreme Unction. Unction means an anointing with oil (which is part of the sacrament), and extreme refers to the fact that the sacrament was usually administered in extremity—in other words when the person receiving it was in grave danger of dying. In more recent times, the Church has stressed a secondary effect of the sacrament: to help a person recover his health.
When should a person receive the sacrament of Anointing?
Anointing of the Sick is given by a priest to a baptized person who is sick or in danger of death due to old age. Many people receive the Sacrament before surgery or before receiving chemical or radiation therapies. In the case of someone seriously ill or old, you do not need to wait until the person is on his or her deathbed; it is better to do it sooner, so the person can experience the grace that comes with receiving the Sacrament which unites the sick person to Christ’s sufferings, gives strength, courage and peace to endure their suffering in a Christian way; and brings forgiveness of sins if the person is not able to receive the Sacrament of Confession.
Before any hospitalization, it is good to receive the sacrament.
Who can administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?
This sacrament is given only by a priest since it is only a priest who can forgive sins.
What to do if you want anointed?
If you would like to receive the Anointing of the Sick, you may ask a priest at any Mass and he will perform the sacrament before or after the Mass depending on the circumstance. You may also call the Parish Office to arrange to receive the sacrament.
The parish office number is 724-652-3422.
Does Holy Spirit Parish offer the Anointing of the Sick at Mass?
There will be a Mass with the celebration of the Anointing of the Sick the date of which has yet to be determined for 2020.
In preparation for my death, is it appropriate to plan my funeral?
It is good and important to think about funeral planning ahead of time. It takes some of the stress off a very emotional time. Holy Spirit Parish has resources that will help plan a funeral. Click on the links below.