Anointing of the Sick


The pastoral care of the sick and dying has always been an integral part of the church’s mission entrusted to it by Jesus:  “I was sick and you visited me”(Matthew 25:36).  The Lord Himself showed great concern for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the sick and commanded His followers to do likewise.  Since then the Church has never ceased to celebrate this sacrament for its members by the anointing and the prayer of its priests, commending those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord.  Those who are seriously ill may need the special help of God’s grace in this time of anxiety, lest they be broken in spirit and perhaps weakened in their faith.

The anointing of the sick can be celebrated by a member of the faithful whose health is marked by illness, surgery, or old age.  People are encouraged to celebrate the sacrament during the early stages of illness. 

Do not delay anointing.  This is NOT the “last rites.” The sacrament can be repeated whenever the sick person again falls into a serious sickness or whenever a more serious crisis develops during the same sickness.

The anointing of the sick is meant for the living.  If there is a person in your family who is ill, chronically sick, growing weaker or disabled, preparing for surgery, they should receive the anointing of the sick.  If a family calls for the anointing of a loved one, it is a great support for the sick person to have their whole family and friends present during the actual anointing.


Anointing Schedule

First Saturday of the Month
following the 4:00 p.m. Mass
(This is a communal celebration.) 

*Schedule subject to change
based on Liturgical Events.


 Contact Us

Janice TreuteLaar
Parish Administrative Assistant
(414) 425-2174, ext. 220

EmailTreutelaarJ@stmaryhc.org