The ebb and flow of parish life is truly a beautiful thing, even when passing through these dreary winter months when I spend my free time thinking about the glorious possibility of one day being old enough to retire and spend January and February ministering as a priest in Miami or someplace where
50 degrees is considered freezing. Because of the weather, flu season, and probably other factors of which I am unaware, there is a fairly steep
increase in anointings and sick calls during the winter. But even though Fr. Lambert, the deacons, and myself see an uptick in hospital and home visits, it seems to me that there are still some misunderstandings about when, and to whom, the sacrament of the anointing of the sick should be administered.
Possibly because the sacrament itself is sometimes referred to as
“extreme unction,” there is still a persistent tendency to not call for the anointing of the sick until someone is very close to death. In fact, the sacrament is best received alongside confession, and certainly should be called for even if someone is not in their final struggle. As Catholics we have more than just the sacrament itself, and someone can be anointed multiple times, or can be anointed and then have the chance to pray the commendation of the dying as their final hour grows nearer. As a parish community, we strive
to grow closer to Jesus through the sacraments, and part of this means catechizing ourselves on how to best use them and when to call for them.
If you or someone you know meets the requirements of being anointed, don’t wait until the situation is urgent so that you don’t run the risk of missing out on graces that God wants us to have. Ask me or Fr. Lambert if you can be anointed after Mass, or if we can come by your home and anoint you at a time when you are most disposed to pray with your family or caretaker. We are happy to work something out that works best for you and your faith life.
For edification and for clarity, please find below the canonical requirements for those who can receive the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, as well as the prayer the Church prescribes for the sacrament itself. Please know that this
important ministry is part of how Fr. Lambert and I are called to serve you, and we want to make sure that it is available for those who can benefit from it, so we as a parish community can grow closer to God through His gifts of the sacraments.
Prayers always,
Fr. McCullough
Canon 1004
1. The anointing of the sick can be administered to a member of the faithful who, after having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age.
2. This sacrament can be repeated whenever
the sick person again falls into a serious
sickness after convalescence or whenever
a more serious crisis develops during
the same sickness.
Lord God, you have said to us through
your apostle James:
“Are there people sick among you?
Let them send for the priests of the Church,
and let the priests pray over them,
anointing them with oil in
the name of the Lord.
The prayer of faith will save the sick persons,
and the Lord will raise them up.
If they have committed any sins,
their sins will be forgiven them.”
Lord, we have gathered here in your name
and we ask you to be among us,
to watch over our brother/sister
We ask this with confidence,
for you live and reign for ever and ever.
Amen.