The Sacrament of Anointing the Sick
If you would like to receive the sacrament of the sick, or know someone who would, please contact the Parish Priest or the Parish Office.
The healing miracles of Jesus were a sign that the Kingdom of God had come. And by his own passion and death he gave new meaning to our suffering which, when united with his own, can become a means of salvation for us and for others.
The Church continues the mission of Christ by taking care of the sick and praying for them. There is a sacrament for the sick, mentioned by St James: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call in the priests of the Church and let them pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14-15).
Any member of the faithful can receive this sacrament as soon as he or she begins to be in danger of death because of sickness or old age. It can be received again if the illness becomes worse, or another serious sickness afflicts the person, or the frailty of an elderly person becomes more pronounced. It is also appropriate before a serious operation.
The celebration of this sacrament should, if possible, be preceded by individual Reconciliation.
The essential parts of the sacrament are an anointing with oil on the forehead and on the palms of the hands of the sick person, accompanied by the prayer of the priest.
The grace of the sacrament gives comfort, peace, courage, and even the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person is not able to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation. Sometimes, it even brings about the restoration of physical health. The anointing prepares the sick person for the journey to the Father’s House.
In the past this sacrament was referred to as the “last rites” but now the Eucharist is the sacrament of the dying. Known as Viaticum, it is the food for the journey to eternal life. (CCC 1499 – 1525)
At Our Lady Star of the Sea
Here at Terrigal we will return to a celebration the Sacrament of the Sick during the 9am Mass on the last Friday of each month. The sacrament is freely offered, but the expectation is that the person receiving the sacrament is in the danger of death because of sickness or old age … or their illness has become worse … or another serious illness has afflicted them … or they have become more frail …. or before a serious operation. It is not always possible to celebrate Reconciliation before the anointing, but it is recommended that this sacrament be celebrated about the time of the anointing.
If anyone is not well enough to attend Mass, please contact with the Parish Office to arrange for the priest to visit the sick person at home or in hospital.