Anointing of the Sick

“Is any among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. Is any among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.” James 5:13-15

In our Catholic tradition, there are two sacraments of healing: Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. 

Through the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, Christ strengthens those who are afflicted by illness, whether in body, soul, or spirit. Jesus showed great concern for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the sick and commanded his followers to do the same. God did not promise that we would be cured of our illnesses, but God always provides healing and forgiveness of sins.

Today we try to distinguish between the Anointing of the Sick – prayers for strength in the struggle with an illness of body or mind and the sacrament for those near death: Viaticum, which means “food for the journey.” Viaticum is Holy Communion accompanied by prayers commending the person into God’s merciful embrace.

Anointing of the Sick is for those who are ill and suffering in mind, body, or spirit.  

Who may consider anointing:

persons who are seriously ill
persons anticipating or recovering from surgery
persons undergoing medical treatments
persons with chronic conditions
persons struggling with addiction
persons with any disease of the mind or body

This sacrament can be received more than once and should not be delayed until death is imminent.

If you would like to receive the healing graces of this sacrament, call the Parish Office (847) 234-0205, and we will make arrangements for a priest to offer you this sacrament.  You are also welcome to reach out directly to our priests:

 Fr. Mike Nacius mnacius@churchofstmary.org (847) 582-2516
Fr. Radley Alcantara ralcantara@churchofstmary.org (847) 582-2517

In an emergency, please call the EMERGENCY line at (847) 582-2518.  It is important that you call yourself or ask the hospital chaplain to call us

Resource: Anointing of the Sick: Joined to Christ, Witnesses of Hope and Healing from USCCB