Rite of Anointing within Mass
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The Rite of Anointing within Mass
On Saturday, February 8, World Day of the Sick, during the 11:30 a.m. Mass at St. Thomas More Church, our parish will celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick for your health and intentions. Many people may believe the sacrament is only for those in immediate danger of death. The teaching of the Church, however, is that:
The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient. The Sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers after the anointing but becomes ill once again, or if, during the same illness, the person’s condition becomes more serious. A person should be anointed before surgery or when a dangerous illness is the reason for the intervention (cf. Rite of Anointing, Introduction, nos. 8-10).
Moreover, “older people may be anointed if they are in weak condition even though no dangerous illness is present. Sick children may be anointed if they have sufficient use of reason to be comforted by this sacrament… [The faithful] should be encouraged to ask for the anointing, and, as soon as the time for the anointing comes, to receive it with faith and devotion, not misusing the sacrament by putting it off” (Rite of Anointing, nos. 11, 12, 13). United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, p. 253
The Sacrament of Sick will occur within Mass after the homily. All gathered will be directed to sit in every other pew, and the priests will come to you for the Sacrament.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Mary Swindal, Pastoral Associate, [email protected] or 412-833-0031 x239.