ANOINTING OF THE SICK

Jesus showed compassion toward the sick and suffering. The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick extends God's grace of spiritual strength, peace, and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with facing a serious health challenge.

Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament administered to the faithful who are suffering from illness, facing serious surgery, or who are frail or elderly. The Catechism teaches that "the first glance of this sacrament is one of strengthening, peace, and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual illness, anyone about to have surgery, of the frailty of old age." Yes, as with all sacraments, the Anointing of the Sick is a vehicle for God's grace that strengthens up spiritually. As such, "this assistance from the Lord by the power of His Spirit is meant to lead the sick person to healing of the soul, but also of the body if such is God's will" (CCC, 1520).

Who should receive this sacrament?

- Those suffering from physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual illness
- Elderly people in a weakened condition
-Anyone who is about to have a surgery

Requesting an Anointing

Anointing is available upon request. Please Contact Us if you or a loved on would like to receive this sacrament. In addition, we periodically offer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick at Mass, where we celebrate it communally with others in our congregation. These Masses are usually held on a Tuesday evening at our regularly schedule 5:00PM Mass.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Prayer shawls are available for people who are home bound, ill, or dying. These shawls serve, no only to provide the comfort of warmth but also, as a visible sign of the care and prayers of fellow parishioners.

​If you know someone who might appreciate receiving one of these shawls, please contact our Director of Pastoral Ministry Nancy Davis ndavis@stmaryotic.org or call 608-742-6998 ext. 210 or Sr. Anita Henning at stmaryhofc@maqs.net or call 608-981-2282.

A common misconception
​about anointing:

The Anointing of the Sick used to be known as Extreme Unction or Last Rights however, the Second Vatican Council noted that this sacrament should no longer be referred to as such because it is intended for all those who are seriously ill or weakened.

We do not reserve this sacrament for those who are at the point of death because it is used, not only to heal, but to...

- unite the sick to the passion of Christ for their own good and that of the whole church
- provide strength, peace, and courage to endure the sufferings of illness of old age
- provide forgiveness of sins to those who were unable to obtain it through the sacrament of Reconciliation, and,
- prepare for passing to eternal life.