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 his 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 his soul;
- The preparation for passing over to eternal life.
(Catechism of the Catholic Church 1532)
The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, should be celebrated at the beginning of a serious illness, either terminal or not. For those who are about to depart from this life, the Church offers the person Penance, Anointing of the Sick, and the Eucharist as Viaticum (food for the journey) given at the end of life. The reception of the Eucharist, within or outside Mass, is the last sacrament proper to the dying Christian. Depending on the circumstances, every effort should be made to involve the family and friends of the dying in the liturgical celebration.
For exceptional circumstances, in sudden and immediate danger of death or when the person is already dead, the priest or deacon can be called for appropriate rites or prayers.
If a member of your family is seriously ill, please call the parish office (825-8578). An available priest will come to your home or the hospital to anoint the sick and pray with him/her.
765-825-8578 (for emergency line, please select option 4)