Heeding the words of the Apostle St. James, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the priests of the Church and let them pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14), the Church provides care for the sick with this special sacrament.

Any member of the faithful who finds themselves in danger of death either due to illness or old age can receive this beautiful sacrament of healing. The priest prays over the individual and anoints him or her on the forehead and the palms with a special oil that has been blessed by the bishop especially for this particular sacrament.

As Catholics we believe that through the celebration of this sacrament the sick person receives a special grace that unites him or her more closely to Our Lord’s passion. It brings peace and comfort, the forgiveness of sins, and sometimes if God wills it, physical healing.