This is a special grace that conveys God’s strength and life amid a most difficult time in our human lives. This Sacrament confers upon the infirm the grace of the Holy Spirit, embracing the whole person, renewing his or her trust in God, and empowering the individual against the threat and pain of their illness. This empowerment allows the infirm to reach beyond the pain and find spiritual salvation – the ownership of his or her healing. This Sacrament is also offered in conjunction with the Sacrament of Reconciliation to those who are ill and seek forgiveness for their sins.
Who Would Receive the Anointing of the Sick?
- Someone facing major surgery
- A person diagnosed with a terminal illness
- The frail at any age, or the elderly
- People who are at the end time of their lives
- Acute patients in the care of a hospital, especially those in the Emergency Room or Intensive Care Unit
The priests in North Bay are on call for Anointing of the Sick. A staff member of our local hospital or long-term care facilities customarily pages the priest on call, although many times we are contacted directly by a hospice worker or family member.
Hospital pastoral care personnel are also helpful and can put you in contact with the chaplain on duty in case of immediate need. Cathedral parishioners are encouraged to notify the parish prior to entering the hospital or convalescent care.
