ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up.
​
[James 5:14-15]
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]
​
The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered to the dying as well as to those who are gravely ill or about to undergo a serious operation. This sacrament of mercy and healing is a time to pray for full recovery, however, the primary intention is to offer spiritual strength and calm the soul of the one suffering. (Traditionally, this sacrament has also been called Last Rites or Extreme Unction.)
​
​
Please call the parish office at 716-649-3090 if someone is ill or hospitalized and would like to be anointed. Anointing is not to be delayed to the last minute.
When to Call a Priest​
​
-
Diagnosis of a serious disease: call parish to come meet with a priest.
-
Terminal diagnosis: call parish to come meet with a priest.
-
Home-bound: call parish to schedule a priest to come visit.
Learn More