Anointing of the Sick
Anointing the Sick
He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two…They anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. (Mark 6:7, 13)
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick confers the grace of strengthening our faith and trust in God when we are seriously ill, weakened by old age, or dying. We receive grace to face our sickness, weakness, or dying with courage and hope.
The Peace of Christ Parish holds anointing services two times a year. All elderly, ill, or people who will soon be having surgery are encouraged to attend.
If you feel that you or a family member are in need of receiving the Sacrament of Anointing any time throughout the year, please call the parish office at 585-288-5000. In the case of an emergency, call the rectory at (585) 482-4280.
If you feel that you or a family member are in need of receiving the Sacrament of Anointing any time throughout the year, please call the parish office at 585-288-5000. In the case of an emergency, call the rectory at (585) 482-4280.
Who may Receive?
In the Catholic Church, the Last Rites is the anointing at the time of death. Since the Second Vatican Council, this sacrament is now called the Anointing of the Sick and has been broadened to offer healing and comfort in times of illness that may not lead to immediate death. Speaking about a wider implementation of this sacrament, Pope Paul VI advocated for “a wider availability of the sacrament and to extend it—within reasonable limits—even beyond cases of mortal illness."
Unlike the traditional understanding of the Last Rites, the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is, ideally, to be administered in a communal celebration.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that when the sick are anointed they should be "assisted by their pastor and the whole ecclesial community, which is invited to surround the sick in a special way through their prayers and fraternal attention" (1516). "Like all the sacraments the Anointing of the Sick is a liturgical and communal celebration…It is very fitting to celebrate it within the Eucharist" (1517).