Anointing of the Sick
Please call (734) 241-8910 (St. John the Baptist parish office) for more information on the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
The Catholic Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, formerly known as Last Rites or Extreme Unction, is a ritual of healing appropriate not only for physical but also for mental and spiritual sickness. A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK Jesus the healer and Jesus the wounded – both Christ figures are represented in the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Fr. Ray administers the Sacrament in nursing homes, hospitals and hospices. Years ago, the focus was on the dying, hence the name of the sacrament then was Extreme Unction. It was administered only when a person was close to death. But over the years, the Sacrament and its use has been expanded to include all the sick and sickness of various kinds, including physical, mental, and emotional. When we look at the person of Jesus, we see Him laying hands on the sick, the lame, the blind, the deaf, the mute, lepers, and paralytics. He healed them all. Some were close to death, other had long-term ailments. From the gospel of Mark (6:13) and the letter of James (5:12-15), the elder are instructed to lay hands upon the sick, to anoint them with oil, and to pray for their healing. In the name of Jesus, the sick person experiences Jesus’ healing love and forgiveness in a special way. The Church teaches that every priest, and only a priest, can validly administer the Anointing of the Sick. It is a great privilege for a priest, to be able to anoint people in the name of Christ. This makes priests more aware of Jesus, the Wounded Healer. |
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