Anointing of the Sick

The Anointing of the Sick will be offered publicly at Nativity of Our Lord immediately after the 8:15am Mass every First Saturday, unless otherwise noted.

All those experiencing serious illness or the serious effects of old age are encouraged to come and receive the special graces of the sacrament.

About Anointing of the Sick

This great sacrament of healing is to be conferred upon those members of the Christian faithful who, having reached the age of reason, begin to be in danger of death due to sickness or old age.  

While at one time reserved to those who were in immediate danger of death, or even in the process of dying, the Church has most recently returned to the more biblical practice of celebrating the sacrament whenever a member of the faithful is gravely ill.  

As we read in the letter of Saint James, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the priests of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14).

While the sacrament does at times result in physical healing, the more essential effect is “the conferral of a special grace on the Christian experiencing the difficulties inherent in the condition of grave illness or old age” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph number 1527).

All those experiencing serious illness or beginning to experience the serious effects of old age are encouraged to receive the anointing of the sick. May this addition to our liturgical life at Nativity further the Kingdom of God and make the presence of Christ, the physician of our souls, ever more present to us.