"Is there anyone sick among you? Let them call for the elders of the church, and let the elders pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of the faith will save the sick ones, and the Lord will raise them up; and if they have committed sins, they will be forgiven."
- James 5: 14-15

If you or someone you care about would like to receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, please contact Barbara Mares at the Ministry of Care Office at 708-452-0150 to make arrangements.

The sacraments of Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick are the two sacraments which heal and save the baptized person from sin. We also recall that a sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. The sign is the anointing of the forehead and palms of the hands with oil, which was blessed on Holy Thursday, specifically for this purpose. The grace comes in varied ways, spiritually and/or physically. The question arises, "Who should be anointed?" According to the Constitution on Sacred Liturgy, we include those who are undergoing surgery, the dying, the seriously ill, the elderly and those who have been anointed before if the condition worsens. The illness may be one of mind, body or soul. Therefore, the Sacrament of Anointing can be administered to the elderly who suffer from chronic illness, those who are seriously ill, those about to have surgery, the seriously handicapped, or those whose health continues to decline.

Pictures of the Communal Anointing celebrated on October 11, 2008

Pictures Courtesy of Michelle Malczewski