The Anointing of the Sick "is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived." --CCC, no. 1514, citing SC, no. 73 |
The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is "actively dying" to receive the Sacrament. The Sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers after the anointing and becomes ill once again, or if, during the same illness, ther person's condition becomes more serious. A person may also be anointed before surgery. Elderly people may be anointed if they are in weak condition even though no dangerous illness is present. Sick children may be anointed if they have sufficient use of reason to be comforted by the sacrament. Only bishops and priests may be ministers of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. (United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, 2011)
At our parish, we ask that you contact Deacon Allen at the Parish Office. Although Deacon cannot minister the Sacrament, he will be able to call our visiting priests who will visit the home or facility of the person requesting the anointing. If you or a family member is in urgent need of Anointing of the Sick and it is outside of regular office hours, please message or call Deacon Allen at (262) 844-0073.