Anointing of the Sick

 ne of the seven sacraments of the Church, Anointing of the Sick was instituted by Christ and is celebrated by the Church to offer the healing grace of God to the infirm and the aged, to remit sin and to make known the prayer solicitude of the entire Body of Christ for those beset by illness or ailment.  In the Old Testament, oil was used to fortify and make strong again.  In the New Dispensation, oil continues to function as a symbol of fortification and strength - this fortification and strength are found in the paschal mystery of Christ.   In this Sacrament, the priest will trace the Sign of the Cross with blessed oil on the forehead and palms of the sick person and use  the Church's sacramental form.  The spiritual effect of this Sacrament is the pardon of sin, the stirring of faith in God's mercy and the strength to endure suffering.

ecause it is a Sacrament for the living, the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated in various places according to the ritual and the appropriate liturgical directives.  A priest may celebrate this sacrament in a sick person's home, he may celebrate it with the sick whom he visits in the hospital and he may anoint infirm and aged Catholics during a Mass of the Anointing of the Sick.  The sacrament ought not be celebrated more than once during a time of crisis, unless the sick person's condition worsens.

hen a family member or friend becomes seriously ill, please notify the parish office at (863) 294-3144.  Do not wait for an end of life crisis situation to develop.  With many parishes it may not be possible to get a message to a priest in time.  It is important that the sick person be able to receive the Sacrament of Anointing while their capacity to receive the strength and blessing they offer is still present.  Therefore, prompt notification is essential to provide that opportunity for a sacramental confession prior to the anointing, followed by Viaticum, the reception of Holy communion as spiritual food for the journey to the Lord. 

id you know that the oils used for the anointing of the sick and other sacraments for the Diocese of Orlando are blessed during the yearly Chrism Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary Queen of the Universe?   The oils are a mixture of olive oil and balsam (balm) and are brought into our church at the Mass of the Lord's Supper.  This beautiful Mass is celebrated on Thursday evening during Holy Week.