The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick allows all baptized Catholics to access and experience Christ’s healing spirit. The sacrament is administered to the dying as well as those who are gravely ill or about to undergo a serious operation, and should not be delayed. Not only will the sacrament offer prayers for recovery but it primarily gives spiritual healing and the Holy Spirit’s peace and courage for the difficulties of illness or the frailty of old age. It is also important to be prepared to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation [hyperlink to reconciliation page] when receiving the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick if able to.
When to call a priest:
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Diagnosis of serious disease: call parish to come in and meet with priest.
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Terminal Diagnosis: call parish to come in and meet with priest.
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Homebound: call parish to schedule a visit within a given week.
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For the integrity of the sacrament the priest will hear the confession of the person to be anointed.
