The Sacrament of Anointing
of the Sick

Are there people sick among you?  Let them send for the priests of the Church, who will pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.  The prayer of faith will save the sick persons, and the Lord will raise them up.  If they have committed any sins, their sins will be forgiven them.  (James 5:14-15)

     The compassion of Jesus for the sick and His readiness to cure those having faith is found throughout the three years of his public ministry as recorded in the Gospels.  His Apostles continued his compassion by healing the sick in His name.  Jesus’ love and concern for the sick continues in our lives through the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.  

     The Anointing of the Sick is a prayer of healing, not only for our physical healing, but also for spiritual health, and for the strength, peace, and courage to bear the burden of illness.

     As Christians, we are asked to see our sufferings as a way of being united with the sufferings of Christ.

While anointing the head of the sick person with Oil of the Sick, the priest or bishop prays:

Through this holy anointing  
may the Lord in his love and mercy
help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, +
and the Holy Spirit.    Amen.

     The Anointing of the Sick also imparts the forgiveness of sins, and therefore can only be administered by a priest or bishop.

      At Saints Peter and Paul Ecumenical Catholic Church+USA, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is offered at Sunday Mass on the first month of each calendar quarter, to all who come with faith needing Jesus curing grace for physical or spiritual health as well as the strength, peace, and courage to bear the burden of illness of every type.