Anointing of the Sick

“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” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1499).

If you, or someone you know, is suffering from a serious illness, approaching major surgery, is in danger of death, or is otherwise in need of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, please contact the parish office at (828)586-9496 or smmgoffice@stmarymotherofgod.com. If it is an emergency situation, please call (828)631-0576.

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 a sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive the 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 1514-15).