Anointing of the Sick

Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.

James 5:14-15

This Sacrament, performed only by the Pastor, celebrates and reminds us of God’s compassion and helps us to experience spiritual and physical strengthening when we are seriously ill. It is for those awaiting surgery, with a serious illness, or those who are impaired by old age. This Sacrament may be received at the church, in the home or hospital. Appointments with the Pastor for receiving this Sacrament may be made by calling the parish office.

“By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.” CCC 1499

Please call the Parish Office to schedule a visit at 970.587.2879.

When to Call a Priest

– Diagnosis of serious disease: call parish to come in and meet with priest.
– Terminal Diagnosis: call parish to come in and meet with priest.
– Homebound: call parish to schedule a visit within a given week.

For the integrity of the sacrament the priest will hear the confession of the person to be anointed.

LEARN MORE

“Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness, man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations, and his finitude…Illness can lead to anguish…It can also make a person more mature, helping him discern in his life 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.”-Catechism of the Catholic Church 1500-1501

“The Church believes and confesses that among the seven sacraments there is one especially intended to strengthen those who are being tried by illness, the Anointing of the Sick…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 for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived….If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can in the case of another grave illness receive this sacrament again. If during the same illness the person’s condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated. It is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to a serious operation. The same holds for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced.” -Catechism of the Catholic Church 1511, 1514-1515

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