Dear Saint Francis Xavier Parishioners,
Have you ever received the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick (what used to be called Extreme Unction or Last Rites)?
It is not just for the dying anymore.
Next Saturday, November 14, we will be having our third Mass with Anointing of the Sick. The Mass will be at 10 am. This will be in addition to our normal Saturday Sacramental schedule.
Who is the Sacrament for? Is it for me? There are three circumstances in which a person should get the Anointing of the Sick.
1. The person is sick in body, mind, or spirit. This sickness might be acute or it might be chronic.
2. The person is suffering from the difficulties of mature years.
3. The person is preparing for surgery.
I highly recommend if you fall into one of these categories to get the Anointing.
What if I have been anointed before? Can I go again? Yes, unless the sickness or suffering have been resolved.
The Letter of Saint James says “Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters (priests) 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. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:14-15).
What is the rite of the Sacrament? Anointing of the Sick includes the anointing of the forehead and hands of the sick with blessed oil accompanied by the liturgical prayer that asks for the grace of the Sacrament. It can be celebrated in the context of Holy Mass.
What are the effects of the Sacrament? The hoped-for effect is that, if it be God’s will, the person be healed of illness. But even if there is no healing of body, the primary effect of the Sacrament is spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace and courage.
Sincerely through Jesus,
Fr. Jason
PS - We had a instantaneous curing of an ailment at the last Anointing Mass.