The Anointing of the Sick is a rite of healing that is appropriate for anyone suffering from physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual illness or injury, as well as those in immediate danger of death. In this sacrament, the priest uses the Oil of the Sick which is blessed by our Bishop at the Chrism Mass during Holy Week each year. Through the priest's anointing, the person becomes united with the suffering of Christ's Passion and receives the graces of the Holy Spirit for strength and peace. This sacrament may be received more than once, such as when a sick person's condition worsens. 

On the first Saturday of every month, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is offered communally at the 8:00am Mass at St Nicholas Church. After the homily, the priest will invite those in need of God's healing grace for physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual reasons to come forward and be anointed with the Oil of the Sick. As the priest anoints each person on the forehead and palms of the hands he will say:

Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.”

Our parish priests are also available to offer this sacrament individually if you or a loved one would like to receive the sacrament due to ongoing illness or upcoming surgery. A priest can come to your residence if necessary. Please call the office to schedule a time.

When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.

~ United States Catholic Catechism for Adults