The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill by anointing them on the forehead and hands with duly blessed oil – pressed from olives or from other plants – saying, only once: “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 from sin save you and raise you up.”  Only priests (presbyters and bishops) can give the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, using oil blessed by the bishop, or if necessary by the celebrating presbyter himself. 
Please call the parish office you or someone you know is in need of this sacrament.
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1520  A PARTICULAR GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.  THE FIRST GRACE OF THIS SACRAMENT IS ONE OF STRENGTHENING, PEACE AND COURAGE TO OVERCOME THE DIFFICULTIES THAT GO WITH THE CONDITION OF SERIOUS ILLNESS OR THE FRAILTY OF OLD AGE. THIS GRACE IS A GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO RENEWS TRUST AND FAITH IN GOD AND STRENGTHENS AGAINST THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE EVIL ONE, THE TEMPTATION TO DISCOURAGEMENT AND ANGUISH IN THE FACE OF DEATH.  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.  FURTHERMORE, "IF HE HAS COMMITTED SINS, HE WILL BE FORGIVEN."(excerpts taken from Catechism of the Catholic Church; copyright © 1994 Concacan Inc., Canada)

Who can Receive Anointing of the Sick - In case of grave illness...


1514 THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK "IS NOT A SACRAMENT FOR THOSE ONLY WHO ARE AT THE POINT OF DEATH. HENCE, AS SOON AS ANYONE OF THE FAITHFUL BEGINS TO BE IN DANGER OF DEATH FROM SICKNESS OR OLD AGE, THE FITTING TIME FOR HIM TO RECEIVE THIS SACRAMENT HAS CERTAINLY ALREADY ARRIVED."
1515 IF A SICK PERSON WHO RECEIVED THIS ANOINTING RECOVERS HIS HEALTH, HE CAN IN THE CASE OF ANOTHER GRAVE ILLNESS RECEIVE THIS SACRAMENT AGAIN.  IF DURING THE SAME ILLNESS THE PERSON'S CONDITION BECOMES MORE SERIOUS, THE SACRAMENT MAY BE REPEATED.  IT IS FITTING TO RECEIVE THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK JUST PRIOR TO A SERIOUS OPERATION. THE SAME HOLDS FOR THE ELDERLY WHOSE FRAILTY BECOMES MORE PRONOUNCED.(excerpts taken from Catechism of the Catholic Church; copyright © 1994 Concacan Inc., Canada)

The rite of the Anointing of the Sick consists of the priest laying hands on the sick, anointing him or her with blessed oil, which has been blessed by the Bishop, and praying over them.


1517 LIKE ALL THE SACRAMENTS THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK IS A LITURGICAL AND COMMUNAL CELEBRATION, WHETHER IT TAKES PLACE IN THE FAMILY HOME, A HOSPITAL OR CHURCH, FOR A SINGLE SICK PERSON OR A WHOLE GROUP OF SICK PERSONS, IT IS VERY FITTING TO CELEBRATE IT WITHIN THE EUCHARIST, THE MEMORIAL OF THE LORD'S PASSOVER.  IF CIRCUMSTANCES SUGGEST IT, THE CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT CAN BE PRECEDED BY THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND FOLLOWED BY THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST.  AS THE SACRAMENT OF CHRIST'S PASSOVER THE EUCHARIST SHOULD ALWAYS BE THE LAST SACRAMENT OF THE EARTHLY JOURNEY, THE "VIATICUM" FOR "PASSING OVER" TO ETERNAL LIFE.(excerpt taken from Catechism of the Catholic Church; copyright © 1994 Concacan Inc., Canada)
   


ANOINTING OF THE SICK CELEBRATION

• Mass starts in the usual fashion with a welcoming and special prayers for those who are to be anointed.
• After the readings and homily there is a litany of prayers for those being anointed and their caretakers.
• The sick come to the altar where the priest lays his hands on the head of each person.
• The blessed oil is brought to the altar and a prayer is said over the oil.
• The priest then makes the Sign of the Cross with the blessed oil on the sick person's forehead whilepraying over them, "Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit." Response: "Amen"
• Next the priest anoints the palms of the sick person's hands with the Sign of the Cross praying, "May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up." Response: "Amen"
• The bread and wine are brought up and the Mass continues as usual.  

St. Martha's Parish holds Anointing of the Sick Masses 2 to 3 times throughout the year.

ANOINTING IN A HOME OR THE HOSPITAL

• The rite begins with the Sign of the Cross with blessed water which is to remind us of our baptismal promise to die with Christ so that we might rise to new life.
• Readings from Scripture are adapted to the condition of the sick person.
• The priest lays hands on the sick person, prays over the oil and anoints the forehead and hands of the sick person.
• The priest then prays for the sick person and invites those present to recite The Lord's Prayer.
• Holy Communion may be received at this time.
• The priest blesses the anointed person and all who are present.


• ANOINTING OF THE SICK
  Please be reminded if you have a relative who has been admitted to hospital it is most important to let the admitting clerk know their faith denomination. Without a request or without this information being on record, anointing is often overlooked and the family is left saddened by the omission of this sacrament.
• Here at St. Martha's we are blessed to have dedicated pastoral care team. If you or a family member is sick, hospitalized, or shut-in, please know that we are here to help spiritually, with prayers and sacraments. To arrange an appointment with the pastoral care team and/or with the Pastor, please call the parish office @ 403-381-8891

James 5:14-15
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.