Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is performed when requested by individuals who seek it or by their caregivers. It is administered to those who are ill, in a critical condition due to sickness or old age, getting ready for surgery, or experiencing weakness due to advancing age. It is possible to receive this sacrament multiple times for new ailments, injuries, or when a condition worsens. The Anointing of the Sick grants forgiveness for venial sins, connects the sick person to the crucifixion of the Lord, and potentially facilitates physical healing as well.

Call the Parish Center, at 301-739-0390, x3136 to schedule a visit from a priest. The sick person does not need to be close to death to be anointed. Please make arrangements for the terminally ill and those in hospice to receive the sacrament as soon as possible.  

About The Anointing Of The Sick

In the Church’s Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, throughthe ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them from sin – and sometimes even from physical ailment. His cures were signs of the arrival of the Kingdom of God. The core message of his healing tells us of his plan to conquer sin and death by his dying and rising.

The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient.

When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God’s will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.

From the United States Catechism for Adults