Dear Friends,

As a priest, I am called upon daily to administer the Sacraments of the Church for the good of God’s people.  Those that are seeking the sacraments are really seeking an encounter with God to receive His grace, His strength, His mercy, His forgiveness. 

That is especially true for those asking to receive the Anointing of the Sick.  Many, if not most, are looking to be cured in mind, body, and soul.  Sometimes people are afraid because they just do not know what is going to happen to them or where the pathway of disease will take them.  Some are even faced with the possibility of preparing for death.

The first thing that I want to clarify is that the sacraments, including the Anointing of the Sick, bring healing and not necessarily a cure.  In our everyday language, we often use the words cure and heal and the phrases cured and healed as if they mean the same thing.  Let me tell you they do not have the same meaning.

A cure to some disease is the reestablishment of physical health due to the elimination of a disease.  A cure is what we expect when we go to a medical doctor, chiropractor, psychologist or dentist.

Healing on the other hand is the establishment of a spiritual, emotional and psychological well-being also called peace.  It may or may not include a cure.  We receive healing whenever we seek to receive the sacraments including the Anointing of the Sick. 

The Anointing of the Sick gives us God’s grace and strength and also brings us peace of mind and soul so that we can have the ability to courageously face whatever disease we may be facing.  In receiving the Anointing of the Sick we always receive healing, but we do not always receive a cure.

I want to make clear one other point.  When should one ask for the Anointing of the Sick?  In the past, this Sacrament was often associated with the Last Rites and unfortunately Hollywood still portrays this in the movies they produce.   The truth is that this Sacrament is not the Last Rites and is not intended for those that are dying.  (Those that are dying should receive the Eucharist, if possible.  The Eucharist is the food for the journey: the journey throughout our earthly life and the journey between earth and heaven, which is called Viaticum.) 

In reality, this Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, is as its name tells us, for the sick.  All those that have an ongoing chronic disease/illness such as cancer, COPD, etc. may ask for the Sacrament.  Those that are undergoing surgery, especially those that will be put to sleep for the surgery can request the Sacrament.  However, the Anointing of the Sick is not for those with an ingrown toe nail or a simple cold. 

So I ask that if you or someone you know is ill, please call the office so that we can arrange for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.  Please, please do not wait until someone is on their death bed to request the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.  

I hope this helps all to understand the Anointing of the Sick a little better.

In Peace,