Anointing of the Sick – By which a special grace is conferred during grave illness or old age.
The fruits of this sacrament are: Unity with the passion of Christ, for the sick person’s own good and that of the whole Church. Strength, peace, and courage to endure as a Christian the sufferings of illness or old age. Forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the […]
Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?
Fr. William Saunders Is baptism necessary for salvation? I am very concerned because my niece has not had her children, ages seven and eight, baptized. — A reader in Alexandria Jesus said, “I solemnly assure you, no one can enter into God’s kingdom without being begotten of water and Spirit” (John 3:5). At the Ascension, […]
Sacrament of Anointing the Sick
The Catechism of the Catholic Church #1499 states: “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 [the Church] exhorts them to contribute to the good of […]
The Catholic Way of Dying
Wisdom 1:12-14 “Seek not death in the error of your life, neither procure ye destruction by the works of your hands. For God made not death, neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living. For he created all things that they might be..” “Of all human evils death is the most grievous, by […]
SACRAMENT OF THE SICK
Mark 6:13 – the apostles anointed the sick with oil and cured them. This is a sacrament of the Catholic Church instituted by Christ which heals us physically and spiritually. James 5:14 – the presbyters (priests) are called to anoint the sick with oil and pray over them. Their sins are forgiven. This is the […]
Questions About Anointing the Sick
The catechumens in my RCIA group asked me these questions: Can permanent deacons administer the Sacrament of the Sick? Can a non-baptized person received the Sacrament of the Sick? Can a baptized person who is not a Catholic receive the Sacrament of the Sick? If not, why not? One commentary, The Canon Law Letter and Spirit: […]
APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION ON THE SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Pope Paul VI Issued by His Holiness on November 30, 1972 The Catholic Church professes and teaches that the Sacred Anointing of the Sick is one of the seven Sacraments of the New Testament, that it was instituted by Christ and that it is “alluded to in Mark (Mk. 6:13) and recommended and promulgated to […]
Extreme Unction
James 5:14-15: “Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the 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 shall save the sick man. And the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in […]
The Anointing of the Sick in the Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Anointing of the Sick 1499 – 1532 1499 “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 […]
Anointing of the Sick: Medicine for Sinners
FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS Question: Recently a friend was seriously ill in the hospital, and the priest “anointed” her. Didn’t the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick used to be called “Extreme Unction” ? Why did they change the name? Where did the sacrament come from? When should a person receive this sacrament and how many […]