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The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
Most of us have witnessed a Baptism, a wedding or a Confirmation Mass. Perhaps you’ve even been present at a priest or deacon’s Ordination Mass. And, as practicing Catholics, we are blessed to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. However, there is one of the seven sacraments with which the majority of Catholics are far less familiar — Anointing of the Sick.
You may recognize this sacrament under a different name — “Extreme Unction” or “Last Rites.”
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Today, it is celebrated with greater frequency than in times past, including any time someone is seriously ill or approaching surgery, advanced in age, as well as when a person is nearing death.
Parishioner Kathy Dieckman has received Anointing of the Sick several times, while ill or in preparation for medical procedures. For her, this sacrament has always brought a sense of comfort and strength.
“When I’m in the hospital getting Anointing, I feel like God is giving me extra blessings,” Kathy says. “It always feels good — it lifts your heart.”
Almost two years ago, Kathy fell ill while on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and received the sacrament from the priest chaplain who was traveling with the group.
“Father gave me the Anointing of the Sick and I just felt lighter, I felt more faithful,” Kathy says. “All of a sudden, I couldn’t think about how sick I was — I just thought about my faith.
“It does bring me closer to God and it is a very faithfilled experience,” she adds. “I am grateful to have been blessed those times I was sick, it was just a huge gift from God.”
Anointing of the Sick, along with Reconciliation, is a Sacrament of Healing. Although the healing may take different forms — sometimes physical, sometimes mental, emotionalor spiritual — the sacrament is always an opportunity for the person to have an encounter with God, the Divine Physician.
Parishioner Delores Koskovich lost her beloved husband, Donald, earlier this year. However, before his passing, he was able to receive Anointing of the Sick, which not only brought him a sense of peace and comfort but also helped his family in their grief.
“I think it really comforted him because it seemed like he was really at peace,” Delores says. “He kept saying, ‘What’s taking so long?’ He knew he was going and he seemed like he was ready to go.
“It was also comforting to the family and very peaceful to know that he received the sacrament and he went with God’s blessings,” she says.
Experiencing a sense of peace seems to be a common experience among those who receive this sacrament.
“I couldn’t believe how peacefully he went,” Delores says of her husband. “He was at peace — he was ready.”
Kathy encourages her fellow parishioners who are ill or preparing for serious medical procedures to be anointed as well and feel the power of God’s Presence and love, as He draws them closer to Himself in difficult moments of suffering.
“The graces, the strength you get — for me, it helps me get stronger,” Kathy says. “I feel I got enough grace and strength to go on. I don’t want to give up — Somebody is here helping me get through it. Anointing of the Sick is such an emotional, faith-filled experience.”
