Caring for those suffering illness

The apostolic Church has its own rite for the sick, attested to by St. James: “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders [presbyters] of the Church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” Tradition has recognized in this rite one of the seven sacraments. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1510)

This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by Mark but is recommended to the faithful and promulgated by James the apostle and brother of the Lord. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1511)

The apostolic Church has its own rite for the sick, attested to by St. James: “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders [presbyters] of the Church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” Tradition has recognized in this rite one of the seven sacraments. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1510)

This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by Mark, but is recommended to the faithful and promulgated by James the apostle and brother of the Lord. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1511)

The anointing of the sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death. It is most likely one of the last sacraments one will receive. The Parish holds a monthly mass of Healing. Please check the bulletin or contact the Parish Office for more information.

Please call or email the Parish Office, to arrange for Father Dariusz to visit and administer the Sacrament. In case of emergency, phone Parish Office on (02) 9773 9065.

FAQ about Anointing of the Sick

• What is the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?

  The Church sees the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick as a way of carrying forth Christ’s ministry of healing. This sacrament has its origin in apostolic times. (Jas 5:14-15). The priest lays his hands on the head of the sick person and then anoints, with the Blessed Oil of the Sick, the forehead and hands of the sick person while praying, “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up. ” (CCC, no. 1513)
  ”The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick can take place in a family home, a hospital or church, for a single sick person or a group of sick persons. ” (CCC, no. 1517)

• When should a Catholic receive this sacrament?

  Seriously ill persons and older persons in weak condition should be encouraged to ask for the anointing and not wait until the point of death. Sick children may be anointed if their understanding allows them to be comforted by the sacrament.

• How is this sacrament given?

  Only bishops and priests may be ministers of this sacrament. Following a penitential rite and reading from Scripture, the priest lays his hands on the head of the sick person. He then proceeds to anoint, with the blessed Oil of the Sick, the forehead and hands of the sick person while praying.

• What is the primary effect of this sacrament?

  The hope, if it be God’s will, is that the person is physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.

• Does a dying person receive the last rites?

  At one time, the anointing of someone who was nearing life’s end was known as The Last Rites. Today that reference is no longer used. If the dying person is conscious, the Church offers a dying person penance, anointing, and the Eucharist as Viaticum (food for the journey) given at the end of life. An unconscious dying person may be anointed. The emphasis is on trust in God’s promise of eternal life rather than on the struggle against illness. Prayers for the Commendation of the Dying may be prayed repeatedly and by anyone present.

• What if the person has already died?

  The priest will not administer the Sacrament of Anointing but will pray for the dead person. Sacraments are celebrated for the living, yet the dead are effectively helped by the prayers of the living. Prayers after death may be led by anyone and prayed by all present.

• What are the effects?

  It forgives some sins, remits temporal punishment due to sin, gives assistance to patiently suffer and to die a holy death, grants strength against the devil’s temptations, and sometimes even restores physical health.

• May someone receive this Sacrament more than once?

  Yes, and at the discretion of the priest. (Cf. CCC: 1515) ”One should ask for a priest to confer the sacrament again in any situation of grave illness, whether the situation is persisting, recurring, worsening, or a newly developed one and so on. ”

• Do we ever anoint someone who is already dead?

  The simple answer is no. We do not anoint dead bodies. Sacraments are for the living. We do, however, want to help console any family members who are present at the death of a loved one. Priests or deacons or lay ministers may be called to assist with the consolation of family members. The Church has some fine prayers and her tradition of pastoral care to offer for the living family members at this time.

• How do I arrange to celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick?

  To arrange for a priest to celebrate the Anointing of the Sick, simply call the parish office. Do not ask for the “Last Rites,” but ask for the Anointing of the Sick, remembering that this sacrament is for the living. If possible, arrange to celebrate the Anointing at a time when family members can be present.

• Is the Sacrament called the ”Last Rites”?

  No. The Church believes and teaches that the sacrament is not a sacrament only for those who are at the point of death but for those among the faithful, including children reaching the age of reason, who ”begin to be in danger of death from sickness or old age.” (CCC: 1514)

• What is physically done in this Sacrament?

  The “priests of the Church” – in silence – lay hands on the sick; they pray over them in the loving faith of the Church in the hope of Holy Spirit to come and act; they then anoint them with sacred oil. ” (CCC: 1519).

• May someone other than a priest anoint the sick?

  No, only priests may minister the anointing.

• May a person with a serious mental illness be anointed?

  The sacrament of anointing can be administered to those who have a serious mental illness and who can be comforted by the sacrament. Such cases should be handled on an individual basis and in consultation with the person’s physician.

• Do I have to be close to death to receive this sacrament?

  No. Anyone who has a serious illness or injury or is preparing for serious surgery may request the sacrament.

• How often can one be anointed?

  Any baptized Catholic who is seriously ill and has sufficient reason to be comforted by the Sacrament may receive it. The Sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers after the anointing but becomes ill once again, or if, during the same illness, the person’s condition becomes more serious.

• What is the Last Rites?

  “Last rites” is not a “thing” that the Catholic Church has that a person must “get” the moment before death. The term “last rites” is used to describe an event that might happen before the death of a Catholic person (I use the term ‘Catholic’ purposefully because there are requests made by unknowing people for this to be imparted to persons of other religions. Since we are talking about Sacraments here, then only Catholic persons are eligible for this).
  So, “last rites” is a phrase, a description of an event that might happen after the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, and Eucharist (one or two or all three) have been celebrated with a Catholic person and the recipient dies. It is not a “thing” unto itself but a process. The Catholic Church believes and teaches that Catholic Christians should be living the Sacraments (all seven) throughout their lives as the best aid to their salvation in Christ because He Himself established the sacraments for precisely that purpose.

Please contact the Parish Office to learn more or email