
THE SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK
“By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ” (CCC #1499). Through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, the Church continues the ministry of Jesus — compassion and healing. It is the Prayer of the Church for the sick.
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This sacrament was formerly known as Extreme Unction — the name of which gave the impression that it should be received only at the moment of death. Following the Second Vatican Council, the sacrament was renamed and clarified so that a sick person would be eligible to receive this sacrament if he or she was facing a severe illness, even if he or she is not in immediate danger of dying.
Conditions that render a person eligible for the Sacrament:
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Diagnosis of a grave illness, condition, or injury which poses an immediate danger to the person.
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Prescribed blood pressure, arthritis, or diabetes medicines.
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Suffering from heart or bronchial or diabetic conditions.
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Suffering from any nervous condition.
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Suffering from chronic pain.
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No longer mobile or unable to care for oneself because of old age or any form of illness.
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No longer conscious due to accident, heart attack, diabetic coma, or old age
Any Catholic or the family member of a Catholic are encouraged to call the pastor for this sacrament if a loved one is seriously ill in the hospital or is confined to a nursing home or at home. Families should not assume the parish is aware of the medical condition of a person, and medical facilities are unable to provide this information to the parish due to HIPPA laws.
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A person who is in good health is not eligible to receive this sacrament. The sacrament is not administered before a surgery unless the surgery is to address a condition which meets the requirements given above.
