For the anointing of the sick, or a Mass or prayer service for the sick
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
The anointing of the sick is for anyone seriously ill, before surgery, or weakened by old age (CCC 1514).
“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” (James 5:14).
Strength, peace and courage; forgiveness of sins; union with the Passion of Christ; healing of body if it is God's will.
Visiting, bringing Communion, helping the family.
Dear brothers and sisters, especially you who are sick, Jesus says to you today: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” You are not forgotten. You are at the centre of the Church's prayer.
Many people think the anointing of the sick is only for the dying, and so they call the priest too late. It is not so. St James says: “Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church.” This sacrament is for anyone seriously ill, before an operation, or weakened by age.
What does the sacrament give? Peace and courage; the forgiveness of sins; the grace to unite your suffering with the suffering of Christ; and, if it is God's will, healing of the body. Isaiah says of Jesus: “By his bruises we are healed.” Your pain, joined to his, is never wasted.
And to the families and the parish: the sick need our presence. Visit them, sit with them, bring them Holy Communion, help those who care for them. That too is the Church at prayer. Amen.
Four men carried their friend to Jesus (Mark 2:1–12).
When the door was blocked, they made a way. Love finds a way.
Jesus healed the soul before the body.
Healing may be of body, mind or spirit, always according to God's will.
Dear brothers and sisters, especially those of you who are ill, today's Gospel tells of a man who could not walk to Jesus by himself. Four friends carried him on a mat. When they could not get through the crowd, they climbed onto the roof, opened it and lowered him down in front of Jesus (Mark 2:1–12).
Many of you who are sick feel like that man: unable to do the things you once did, dependent on others. Do not be ashamed. In this Gospel the paralysed man is not a burden; he is the centre of the story. Jesus looks at him first. And the faith of his friends matters: Jesus saw their faith. Your family, your caregivers and this parish are your four friends today, carrying you to the Lord in prayer.
Notice what Jesus says first: your sins are forgiven. The people expected a miracle of the body; Jesus began with the soul. Illness often brings fear, regret and questions about life and death. The sacrament of Anointing brings peace to the soul: it forgives sins, if the sick person cannot go to confession, and gives strength and trust in God.
Then Jesus told the man to get up and walk, and he did. Sometimes the Lord gives physical healing through this sacrament, if it is good for the person's salvation. Sometimes He gives a different healing: courage to bear the illness, peace in the family, reconciliation with God and with others, a holy death. Every anointing is a meeting with Jesus who heals.
To the families and caregivers: thank you. Your patience is a hidden prayer. To the parish: visit the sick, bring them Communion, do not forget them. And to you who are suffering: unite your pain with the Cross of Jesus. Offer it for the Church, for your family, for priests. Your suffering is not wasted; in Christ it becomes a gift.
Promulgated by St James: let him call the elders of the Church (James 5:14–15; CCC 1510).
Any of the faithful in danger due to sickness or old age, and before serious surgery (CCC 1514–1515).
Union with Christ's Passion, strength, peace, forgiveness of sins, sometimes bodily healing (CCC 1520–1523).
It is not only for the last moments; call the priest early.
Dear brothers and sisters, many people still think that the Anointing of the Sick is only for the moment of death. When the priest is called, the family fears the worst. Today let us correct that idea with the teaching of the Church.
The Letter of St James says: is anyone among you sick? Let him call the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; the prayer of faith will save the sick, the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins he will be forgiven (James 5:14–15). The Church sees here a sacrament instituted by Christ and promulgated by the apostle (CCC 1510–1511).
Who may receive it? Any baptised person who begins to be in danger because of sickness or old age. It may be received before a serious operation, and repeated if the illness becomes worse or a new illness arises (CCC 1514–1515). So do not wait until the sick person is unconscious. Call the priest while the person can still pray, confess and receive Communion.
What does the sacrament do? It gives the grace of the Holy Spirit: strength, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties of illness. It unites the sick person to the Passion of Christ, so that suffering takes on a new meaning. It forgives sins, if the person was not able to confess. And sometimes, if it serves the salvation of the soul, it restores bodily health (CCC 1520–1523). For those near death, together with confession and Viaticum, it prepares for the passage to the Father.
The priest anoints the forehead and the hands with blessed oil, praying that the Lord in His love and mercy may help the sick person with the grace of the Holy Spirit. Families, do not be afraid of this sacrament. It is a gift of Christ's tenderness. Bring your sick to the Church, and bring the Church to your sick.
Lord Jesus, you took our infirmities and bore our diseases. Look on your servants who are sick: give them strength and peace, forgive their sins, unite their suffering with your Passion, and, if it is your will, restore them to health. Amen.