One of the most beautiful of the sacramental gifts the Lord Jesus has left with his Church is also one of the least understood: the Anointing of the Sick. Most Catholics will neither receive it themselves, nor witness it being celebrated in their lifetime. Nevertheless, this sacrament is a treasure entrusted to the Church—one both powerful and tender—by which the risen Christ continues to be present in our midst as our healer, our “Divine Physician.”
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus engages in a veritable whirlwind of healing activity, cleansing lepers, restoring sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf, healing the paralyzed, and casting out demons. These healings of body, mind, and spirit are signs that God’s Kingdom is indeed among us, and of the Lord’s particular care for those who shoulder the heavy cross of illness. To this day, the Church extends that compassionate care in the Lord’s name in varied ways, but perhaps nowhere more reassuringly than through sacramental anointing. As the Apostle James writes: “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord . . . “ (James 5:14). While it is always hoped that this brief ritual will restore the one receiving it to good health, an even more important grace is the sense of peace, courage, and inner strength that the Holy Spirit lavishes on his suffering child in the midst of a painful and anxious experience.
Many Catholics continue to refer to this sacrament as “the Last Rites” (or extreme unction), mistakenly believing that it is appropriate only for someone close to death. But the Church’s renewed understanding of the Anointing of the Sick urges believers to seek anointing whenever confronting serious illness—physical or mental—when preparing for surgery, or when dealing with any chronic or worsening disease, injury, addiction, or disability.
To request the Anointing of the Sick, simply contact the rectory at (631) 589-0042 at any time. In case of an emergency at a time when the office is closed, simply follow the prompts given in the recorded message. The sacrament is also celebrated communally at 9:30 AM on the first Saturday of February, April, August, and December, and additional opportunities are scheduled in the fall and in the spring.
To read more about this often misunderstood sacrament, read “A Healing Touch” by clicking below.