How Does Someone Receive the Anointing of the Sick?
In an Emergency – Actively dying
If someone is actively dying, defined as likely to die before the next business day, then immediately call the parish office to arrange an anointing. If it is after hours there is an answering service which will connect directly to the priest on call.
People often wait until the very last minute to call, even though their loved one has been sick for months. At the last minute the dying person has less of an opportunity to fully cooperate with the graces received. It is also very possible that a priest won’t be able to arrive in time.
Not an Emergency
Church law does not mention anointing in an emergency. It only mentions that “anointings are to be arranged at an appropriate time.”
Please don’t wait until the last minute. As soon as your loved one is admitted to a care home or hospice call the parish office right away so we can schedule an anointing or direct you to the responsible parish for the anointing.
People are frequently anointed after daily Mass. If you have a surgery scheduled, have just received a poor diagnosis, but are ambulatory, it’s always more efficient to come to the church to be anointed. This can be arranged with the parish office for a variety of times throughout the week.
A person does not need to be re-anointed as they get closer to death if they have already received the sacrament. (Although this can happen if it has been a significant amount of time.)
It’s Not “Last Rites” Anymore
There is no such thing as “Last Rites” anymore. This sacrament is not a magical act prior to death that ensures salvation.
Not infrequently people call for their loved one who is in their final moments, but that person and the family, haven’t been practicing their faith for years. Can that person still be anointed? Yes, of course. But this is not an action that will guarantee anything or wipe away years of a person having abandoned their faith.
It must be said, however, that while the person is still conscious this can have a great spiritual benefit even for those who have been away for many years. This is different than a person who is no longer conscious and the family is,” covering their bases,” so to speak. The danger of this motivation is that it treats the sacrament more like a magical act.
The person to receive the anointing should request it themselves. This is not the kind of thing that another person should force upon their loved one. The motivation behind that is not in keeping with the sacrament as it is likely born from fear. An anointing shouldn’t be done because it makes the family feel better about their loved one who is dying. Once again, you can see how this could be treating the sacrament more like a magical act, rather than the sick/dying person’s encounter with Christ.
Parish Boundaries
This can become a contentious issue for many Catholics who attend a parish outside of where they live.
Each pastor is obliged to anoint Catholics within the physical boundaries of his parish, even if they attend a different parish. This happens all the time and every pastor knows his responsibility. The reason for this rule is so that priests are not driving all across the city.
Our boundaries are from 51st Ave to 91st Ave and from Bell Rd to roughly the 303.
What Does This Sacrament Do?
All sacraments convey God’s grace. The full efficacy of that grace is partially contingent upon the disposition of the recipient.
The special grace from this sacrament is given to assist the person with their suffering and, if it be the case, help them transition into eternal life.
This sacrament is not a magic formula to get people into heaven or to heal them from illness, although it may assist with both of these.
Sacraments are for the living, not the dead. They only assist us in this life. This is also why we do not anoint someone after death.
This sacrament also forgives sins (which is why only a priest may confer it and not deacons).