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Anointing of the Sick

- If you or someone you love needs the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick,
  please call the parish office at 608.238.3471.
  Or if after-hours, please follow the prompt and
  press "8" to leave a voicemail for our priests.
- "The special grace of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects: the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for their own good and that of the whole Church the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age, the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the Sacrament of Penance, the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of their soul, the preparation for passing over to eternal life."
  (CCC 1532)
- In the Church's Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick - sometimes known as "the Sacrament of the Sick", through the ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them from sin – and sometimes even from physical ailment.
  
  When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it is 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. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines the sacraments as “efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which Divine life is dispensed to us” – having Divine life dispensed to us is reason enough for wanting to receive them whenever possible and appropriate.
  
  St Mary’s Hospital is currently the only hospital with a Catholic priest on staff who can administer the Sacrament of the Sick. Parishioners who have surgery scheduled can make an appointment with Fr. Mark or Fr. Cristobal beforehand to receive the sacrament. Both Fr. Mark and Fr. Cristobal will administer the Sacrament of the Sick at the Hospitals if a Hospital chaplain is not available. However, if the hospital stay is a scheduled one, it is prudent to schedule a visit with our priests in advance, as hospital chaplains, if available, are very busy and may not be able to come before a scheduled procedure.
  
  If Blessed Sacrament parishioners are admitted to the hospital, the Pastoral Assistant, Maria Habib, will visit them as she is able, bringing them Holy Communion, if desired. Please let the admitting staff at the hospital know of your affiliation with Blessed Sacrament at the time of admission. We will not know that we need to tend to you or pray for and with you if we are unaware of your illness!
- Who Can Receive Anointing of the Sick?
  
  Anyone who is baptized and of the age where he can go to confession can receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick validly. 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. For instance, one could ask for Anointing of the Sick before surgery, even if it is a relatively low-risk procedure.
- Anointing of the Sick vs. Last Rites
  
  Many people confuse the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick and Last Rites--believing them to be the same thing. There is a difference and it is important for to know the differences to better understand and take full advantage of the Sacrament and the Apostolic Blessing (Last Rites).
- Anointing of the Sick
  
  Many of us usually think of asking to receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick only when we are nearing death through sickness or old age. This, luckily, is not the case. We can ask God to heal and help us at times when we need Him the most--when we are having surgery, dealing with a physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual affliction. It is during these difficult times that we need the Holy Spirit's gifts of strength, faith, peace, and courage; and for such times as these that God gives us the beautiful Sacrament of Healing.
  
  Great care and concern should be taken to see that those of the faithful whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age receive this sacrament (General Instruction of Pastoral Care of the Sick).
  
  The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is administered to bring spiritual and physical strength during an illness by a bishop or priest. This sacrament can be administered more than once, especially if a person has a chronic illness.
- Last Rites
  
  After the administration of the Sacrament of Anointing, if the recipient is imminently likely to die, the Last Rites with the Apostolic Blessing are administered. The Apostolic Blessing is given along with Anointing of the Sick and the Sacrament of Penance (if possible). When given together, these are considered Last Rites, since it is most likely the last time the person will receive them. The Apostolic Blessing given as part of the Last Rites gives a plenary indulgence to the dying person for the remission of temporal punishment due to sin. The words of the prayer explain the meaning of the act:
  
  "Through the holy mysteries of our redemption, may almighty God release you from all punishments in this life and in the life to come. May He open to you the gates of paradise and welcome you to everlasting joy."
  
  - or-
  
  "By the authority which the Apostolic See has given me, I grant you a full pardon and the remission of all your sins in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."