Anointing of the Sick

Please call the office at 704-664-3992 to keep us informed of those who are homebound and hospitalized, especially during a serious illness. We offer a communal anointing twice each year.

The sacrament of anointing is given to those who are sick and those of advanced age who are easily subject to illness.
This sacrament has its root in the ministry of Jesus. Jesus sent out seventy-two disciples and told them to anoint the sick with oil in his name. The letter of St. James describes its practice in the early church. “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.”

The oil used for anointing is olive oil, which is a natural healing balm. The prayers of the priest who anoints and of the community ask God to make the sick person well. Normally anointing is given to those who are enduring physical, mental or spiritual sickness. Unlike communion it is not meant for everybody in the congregation. Often those seeking the sacrament sit in the pews near the middle aisle. They come up for anointing after the homily while those not seeking anointing remain in their seats and pray silently for those being anointed.