SACRAMENTS OF HEALING:

Anointing of the Sick

Illness and Its Effect

Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness, man experiences his powerlessness, his limitation and his finitude.Illness can lead to anguish, self-absorption, sometimes even despair and revolt against God. It can also make a person more mature, helping him discern what is not essential so that he can turn toward that which is. Very often illness provokes a search for God and a return to him. (CCC. 1500-1501)

Illness can affect us not just physical but also mentally and psychologically, or even spiritually.

Sometimes, one leads to another.

The story about the cure of a sick man at the Pool of Bethesda (Jn 5: 1-16)

•Jesus spent much of his time among the sick and infirm, curing their sicknesses or driving out evil spirits. Mk 1:32-34; Lk 7:21

•Healing was essential to the mission of the disciples – “he sent them out two by two…They anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them” (Mk 6: 7-13)

After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Church continued to administer sacrament of healing:

Is any one of you sick? He should summon the presbyter of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5:14-15 )

The Sacrament of Anointing

In this sacrament, we pray that the sick be healed in body, soul and spirit – God knows best what kind of healing the sick needs – illness cured, fear turned to confidence, loneliness embraced by the support of a loving community, confusion turned into insight.The purpose of sacraments is to make people holy, to build up the Body of Christ and finally to give worship to God.The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick accomplishes this by helping us gain insight into the religious meaning of human suffering. Christ invites his disciples to follow him by taking up their cross…….by following him they acquire a new outlook on illness and the sick (CCC 1506)

A baptized Catholic who is seriously ill, prior to a major operation, or when an elderly Catholic whose frailty becomes more pronounced.

This Sacrament may be received more than once.

Who can Administer this Sacrament?

Only Priest (Bishops and Presbyters) can administer this Sacrament. Mk 6: 7-13 & James

Who Can Receive the Sacrament of Anointing?