ANOINTING OF THE ILL

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The Sacrament of Anointing of the Ill, formerly called Extreme Unction, The Last Rites, or The Anointing, is for the elderly, the seriously ill, or those scheduled for surgery. The rite of Healing is offered by special appointment.

Call the rectory 916-391-5200 if someone needs to have a priest visit the home.

In addition, St. Paul Catholic Church schedules two Healing Masses during each year followed by lunch in the Parish hall. Watch your weekly bulletin for dates and times.

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The Sacrament of Healing
in the Catholic Church

"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; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven" (James 5:14-15).

The Sacrament of Healing has as its purpose the conferral of a special grace on the Christian experiencing the difficulties inherent in the condition of grave illness or old age. The proper time for receiving this holy anointing has certainly arrived when the believer begins to be in danger of death because of illness or old age. Each time a Christian falls seriously ill, he may receive the Sacrament of Healing, and also when, after he has received it, the illness worsens.

The special grace of the Sacrament of  Healing has as its effects:

• the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church;
• the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age;
• the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance (Confession/Reconciliation);
• the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul;
• the preparation for passing over to eternal life.

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This page last updated on Friday, March 19, 2010

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