The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is one of the best-kept secrets of the Catholic Church. In practice, most Catholics do not fully understand this sacrament and believe it should be administered right before death. The Anointing of the Sick is just as it says – a sacrament for the sick not just for the dying. Anointing is encouraged for anyone who may benefit from it spiritually, physically, or mentally.

Anointing of the Sick, one of the seven Sacraments instituted by Christ in the New Testament, is associated not only with bodily healing but with forgiveness of sins. Through the sacrament, the Holy Spirit renews confidence and faith in God and strengthens against temptations to discouragement, despair, and anguish at the thought of death and the struggle of death. It prevents us from losing Christian hope in God’s justice, truth, and salvation.

The Second Vatican Council placed the sacrament in the context of mutual prayer and brought a change in the way we think about the sacrament. This sacrament will be celebrated in our Holy Spirit Community at the 5:00 Mass on September 24, 2022, and the 9:30 am and 11:30 am Masses on September 25, 2022. Those who believe they would benefit either physically or mentally from Christ’s healing touch through the prayer of the Church will be invited forward after the homily to receive the sacrament.

As human beings, we are composed of body, mind, and spirit. We are not fragments – a body separated from a mind apart from our spiritual self. Because of this unity, when our bodies ache, our spirit and minds can also be affected. When out spirit is touched with healing, our minds may release built-up stress and tension and our bodies begin to heal.

Anointing of the Sick, while essentially a spiritual act, also has physical and mental aspects. We are anointed with oil blessed at the Chrism Mass before Easter. We are offered words of Scripture and prayer that comforts our minds. The sacrament is intended to bring healing to the whole person. This includes putting a mind at peace (mental healing), renewing energy and gives strength to the body (physical healing) and, if death occurs, one is made ready to meet the Lord (spiritual healing).

We are all important parts of the Body of Christ. At times, illness, injury, or age may separate us physically from that Body. The Sacrament of Anointing unites us with the entire worshipping Body, Christ’s Church.

This weekend, we invite you and your family to join us as we celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick during our liturgy where the reality of Church is even more apparent.