This past week we were blessed to celebrate the Mass of Anointing at St. Pius X with over 200 people. Many of our parishioners, accompanied by students from St. us X School received the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Although most of us have heard of this Sacrament, it is not necessarily one of the most thoroughly understood Sacraments.
At different times in the Church this sacrament has also been referred to as “Last Rites” or “Extreme Unction.” Anointing of the Sick is one of the sacraments instituted by our Lord in which we can unite our sufferings with Christ and seek his healing power. In the New Testament the Letter of James states “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (Jas. 5:14-15). In this sacrament the recipient has their head and palms of their hands anointed with the oil of the infirm (specific oil used in the sacrament) as the priest says “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit . May the Lord who frees you form sin save you and raise you up.” This sacrament is often requested by people as they approach death, however; it can be received at any time (and more than once) by anyone who is ill and in need of physical, mental or other healing Let us keep in our prayers all the members of our parish family who are ill and in need of our prayers.