Anointing of the sick
The compassion of Jesus toward the sick and his many healings of the infirm were a clear sign that with him had come the Kingdom of God and therefore victory over sin, over suffering, and over death. Having received from the Lord the charge to heal the sick, the Church strives to carry it out by taking care of the sick and accompanying them with her prayer of intercession. Above all, the Church possesses a sacrament specifically intended for the benefit of the sick. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was instituted by Christ and is attested by Saint James in his epistle (5:14–15): “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call in the presbyters of the Church and let them pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord” (Compendium, 314–315).
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For a non-emergency anointing, please contact the parish office to schedule the administration of the sacrament by one of the parish priests or a non-emergency home visit to the sick. If you are anticipating a major surgery, please set up an appointment with a priest for anointing before you go in for your hospitalization.
In case of emergency (that is, when someone is imminently dying), please call the pastor's emergency line at 715-629-9952. |
What is the anointing of the sick?
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, by which the Church commends the faithful who are dangerously ill to the suffering and glorified Lord in order that he relieve and save them, consists essentially in an anointing by a priest or bishop with holy oil—which may be blessed by the bishop. The anointing is on the forehead and on the hands of the sick person accompanied by the prayer of the priest who asks for the special grace of this sacrament.
This sacrament confers a special grace which unites the sick person more intimately to the Passion of Christ for his good and for the good of all the Church. It gives comfort, peace, courage, and even the forgiveness of sins if the sick person is not able to make a confession. Sometimes, if it is the will of God, this sacrament even brings about the restoration of physical health. In any case this Anointing prepares the sick person for the journey to the Father’s House (Compendium, 319).
This sacrament confers a special grace which unites the sick person more intimately to the Passion of Christ for his good and for the good of all the Church. It gives comfort, peace, courage, and even the forgiveness of sins if the sick person is not able to make a confession. Sometimes, if it is the will of God, this sacrament even brings about the restoration of physical health. In any case this Anointing prepares the sick person for the journey to the Father’s House (Compendium, 319).
Who can receive this sacrament?
The Anointing of the Sick can be administered to a member of the faithful who, having reached the use of reason (age seven), begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age. This sacrament can be repeated if the sick person, having recovered, again becomes gravely ill or if the condition becomes more grave during the same illness. However, this sacrament is not merely for the imminently dying. Whether someone has a serious illness or injury, a major surgery, or advanced age, it is important to receive this sacrament so that our sufferings can be united to the sufferings of Christ. If you are anticipating a major surgery, please set up an appointment with a priest for anointing before you go in for your hospitalization.
What are the 'last rites'? what about viaticum?
The term last rites is a colloquial term meaning the administration of the sacraments of Confession, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Communion at the end of one's life. In the past, Anointing of the Sick was commonly called "extreme unction" since it was often only administered immediately before death ("unction" comes from the Latin, ungere, meaning to anoint). Today, Anointing of the Sick is administered to any member of the faithful who begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age. Nonetheless, when someone is near death, it is still important to call a priest for the administration of the sacraments—it is better to call sooner so that the one near death can participate and receive Holy Communion rather than waiting until the last minute when the person is unable to participate and/or receive Holy Communion.
Viaticum is the Holy Eucharist received by those who are about to leave this earthly life and are preparing for the journey to eternal life. Communion in the body and blood of Christ who died and rose from the dead, received at the moment of passing from this world to the Father, is the seed of eternal life and the power of the resurrection (Compendium, 320).
The Christian faithful who are in danger of death from any cause are to be nourished by Holy Communion in the form of Viaticum. Even if they have been nourished by Holy Communion on the same day, those in danger of death are strongly urged to receive Communion again. While the danger of death lasts, it is recommended that Holy Communion be administered often, but on separate days. Holy Viaticum for the sick is not to be delayed too long; the sick should be nourished by Viaticum while fully conscious (cf. CIC, 921–922).
Viaticum is the Holy Eucharist received by those who are about to leave this earthly life and are preparing for the journey to eternal life. Communion in the body and blood of Christ who died and rose from the dead, received at the moment of passing from this world to the Father, is the seed of eternal life and the power of the resurrection (Compendium, 320).
The Christian faithful who are in danger of death from any cause are to be nourished by Holy Communion in the form of Viaticum. Even if they have been nourished by Holy Communion on the same day, those in danger of death are strongly urged to receive Communion again. While the danger of death lasts, it is recommended that Holy Communion be administered often, but on separate days. Holy Viaticum for the sick is not to be delayed too long; the sick should be nourished by Viaticum while fully conscious (cf. CIC, 921–922).
Visits to the Sick or homebound
If you or a loved one become hospitalized, institutionalized, or homebound because of illness or age and would like to be visited by a member of the parish clergy, please contact the parish office. Please note that due to federal privacy laws, hospitals and other health care facilities no longer automatically provide to parishes a list of parishioners who are hospitalized or institutionalized. The bottom line is that unless you or your loved ones notify the parish, the parish has no way of knowing when you are hospitalized or institutionalized. It is never too early to have a conversation with your family about your desire that they request a visit of the parish clergy should you end up in a hospital or institution or if you become homebound, either temporarily or permanently.
UPDATE OF JANUARY 1, 2022:
Beginning on January 1, 2022, there is no longer a deanery priest “on call” Sunday afternoons through Monday evenings for emergency anointing of the sick when someone is dying or in a life-threatening situation. Rather, in an emergency situation, family members should call their parish priest(s) for administration of the sacrament. Here at Our Lady Queen of Heaven, please call the pastor's emergency line at 715-629-9952 whenever an emergency anointing is required regardless of the time. This number is only for emergencies. If you get the voicemail, please leave a message and the pastor will return the call immediately upon availability. Please note that if the pastor is out-of-town, the number may be forwarded to another priest of the deanery. If there is no response after some time, please call the parish office if it is during business hours.
Families should know that it is better to call early before an emergency anointing is required. There are times where it may take some time before a priest is able to attend to a dying person. If you or your loved one is on hospice, nearing death, or seriously ill, please call the parish to schedule an anointing. Such visits can be scheduled to everyone’s benefit. It is better to schedule such anointings during the week rather than during the weekend; nonetheless, call the emergency line at any time day or night if there is an emergency.
A change in deanery policy has also been implemented at the Aspirus Riverview Hospital and the major nursing homes in the area. If someone is in emergency need of the sacraments, that person’s proper pastor is to be called first. If he is unreachable, the hospital or facility will try other priests until one is found. While not everyone knows when they will be in a life-threatening situation, any anointings that can take place before one is in danger is certainly the best course of action. Family members should call the parish or priest whenever someone is in need of the sacrament rather than to wait until it is too late.
One does not need to be actively dying to receive anointing of the sick. Anyone who begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age should receive the sacrament. This sacrament can be repeated if the sick person, having recovered, again becomes gravely ill or if the condition becomes more grave during the same illness. These non-emergency visits to the sick or homebound can be scheduled through the parish office. Do not call the emergency line for these situations. The parish office staff will be happy to schedule a time for a visit that is convenient for all concerned. Non-emergency anointings are best scheduled during the week rather than on the weekend. Thank you for understanding these deanery changes. Please do not hesitate to contact the parish if you have any questions or concerns.
Families should know that it is better to call early before an emergency anointing is required. There are times where it may take some time before a priest is able to attend to a dying person. If you or your loved one is on hospice, nearing death, or seriously ill, please call the parish to schedule an anointing. Such visits can be scheduled to everyone’s benefit. It is better to schedule such anointings during the week rather than during the weekend; nonetheless, call the emergency line at any time day or night if there is an emergency.
A change in deanery policy has also been implemented at the Aspirus Riverview Hospital and the major nursing homes in the area. If someone is in emergency need of the sacraments, that person’s proper pastor is to be called first. If he is unreachable, the hospital or facility will try other priests until one is found. While not everyone knows when they will be in a life-threatening situation, any anointings that can take place before one is in danger is certainly the best course of action. Family members should call the parish or priest whenever someone is in need of the sacrament rather than to wait until it is too late.
One does not need to be actively dying to receive anointing of the sick. Anyone who begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age should receive the sacrament. This sacrament can be repeated if the sick person, having recovered, again becomes gravely ill or if the condition becomes more grave during the same illness. These non-emergency visits to the sick or homebound can be scheduled through the parish office. Do not call the emergency line for these situations. The parish office staff will be happy to schedule a time for a visit that is convenient for all concerned. Non-emergency anointings are best scheduled during the week rather than on the weekend. Thank you for understanding these deanery changes. Please do not hesitate to contact the parish if you have any questions or concerns.