Anointing of the sick

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is given to believers who are seriously ill, elderly or preparing for surgery. This sacrament gives spiritual strength, peace and, God willing, healing of the body.

When a person gets sick, his life changes. Often he can no longer take care of himself and needs the help of others. He can no longer go to others, he has to wait for them to come. He can no longer "give" anything. He no longer fits into society. He often feels lonely, abandoned by everyone, loses confidence and hope.

Jesus did not avoid the sick; He showed that God loves them, He healed many of them. Since His Church is not only a community of Faith, but also of life, each of its members must experience having a brother or sister in it: visiting the sick is a work of mercy, one of the good works for the body.

From the very beginning, the sick have been treated in a special way in the Church: "Is anyone among you sick? Let the elders of the Church be called, and they shall pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has sinned, he will be forgiven" (Jacob 5, 14-15).

And today, this Sacrament is offered in the same way: the priest prays for the sick person and together with him. He anoints the patient's forehead and hands with holy oil.

● "With this holy Anointing, may the generous and merciful Lord strengthen you with the grace of the Holy Spirit and, freed from your sins, may He save you and lift you up graciously."

After the Anointing, the patient receives Holy Communion - viatica (travel food).

The one who entrusts his life to Jesus Christ and lives with Him can be sure that even in case of illness and in the face of death, he will remain in His communion. Believers can trust in their Lord. After all, he knows what suffering is. He can be asked for help. They can join their sufferings with His sufferings - for the Eternal Life of the whole world.

None of us lives for ourselves,

no one dies to himself.

Do we live, for the Lord we live,

whether we die, we die to the Lord.

So whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

Rom 14, 7-8

The sacrament of the anointing of the sick can be administered to many sick people at once in a hospital or parish church. If the illness is prolonged or severe, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick can be received several times.

● It is ideal to contact the parish office during working hours and arrange a day and time when the priest can visit the patient.

● In case of emergency, you can call the pastor: +370 698 44243.