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Anointing of the Sick
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Video Resource onThe Anointing of the Sick
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Anointing of the Sick
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Extreme Unction, Nicolas Poussin, c. 1637-40
“The Church believes and confesses that among the seven sacraments there is one especially intended to strengthen those who are being tried by illness, the Anointing of the Sick:
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 it is recommended to the faithful and promulgated by James the apostle and brother of the Lord.” [1]
St. James bears testimony to the sacrament in his epistle when he states,
Is any among you sick? Let him call for the presbyters (priests) 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 any sins, he will be forgiven. [2]
“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…Christ’s compassion toward the sick and his many healings of every kind of infirmity are a resplendent sign that ‘God has visited his people’ and that the Kingdom of God is close at hand. Jesus has the power not only to heal, but also to forgive sins; he has come to heal the whole man, soul and body; he is the physician the sick have need of. His compassion toward all who suffer goes so far that he identifies himself with them: ‘I was sick and you visited me.’ His preferential love for the sick has not ceased through the centuries to draw the very special attention of Christians toward all those who suffer in body and soul. It is the source of tireless efforts to comfort them.” [3]
The Apostolic Constitution Sacram Unctionem Infirmorum of Pope St. Paul VI observes that,
The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill by anointing them on the forehead and hands with duly blessed oil…saying…“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.” [4]----------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you or someone you know requires the Anointing of the Sick, please contact the parish office at parishoffice@saintedwardchurch.org or 203-746-2200.
If this is a medical emergency and you require the immediate care of the sacrament, please contact the priest-on-call at 203-746-2200 x34.
