St. Patrick's & St. Anthony's Parish at 920 Fulton Street, Grand Haven, MI 49417 US - Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

                “He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two…they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” Mark 6:7-13.

                Healing was essential to the mission of the disciples even before Jesus’ death and resurrection.  The word “salvation” comes from a root  word , Hal, which means both “to save” and “to heal”.  As His Church today, we continue to see healing as a primary mission and our Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is the way that whole-person healing can come to us.  In the early centuries of the Christian church, this  sacrament was used for healing the sick.  As time went on, the focus shifted more to using it as forgiveness of sins (which it also provides) but began delaying use of the sacrament to the deathbed when forgiveness of sins would be a final preparation for heaven.  This is the time it started to be known as “Extreme Unction”, the Last Anointing.  This severely limited the use of the sacrament and even to this day, some Catholics still think of this sacrament as a “once in a lifetime” experience as they take their last breath.

                The Second Vatican Council sought to remedy this misunderstanding of this beautiful sacrament and restore it to its rightful use for healing of body, mind, and spirit.  They said “anointing is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death” (Liturgy, #73) but is intended for all those who are seriously ill and all elderly, whether ill or well.. Next weekend during all the Masses, Father will invite anyone of any age to come forward who wishes to receive this Sacrament of Anointing.  This will take place during Mass so that more of us can partake of the Sacrament who wish it, and so that all of us can see this little-known sacrament being administered and all of us can pray for them as they are anointed with consecrated oil.