“By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them.  And, indeed, she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.”

 (CCC 1499)

  

“The Anointing of the Sick “is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death.  Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived.”  (CCC1514)

 

Sacramental Emergency – When there is a concern that a Catholic may soon pass from this life to the next, parishioners should call the parish office at (770) 443-0566.  If the office is closed choose option 2 on the phone system to contact a Roman Catholic Priest for the Anointing of the Sick (including Last Rites).

 

Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick – Please contact the parish office 770-443-0566.

 

Need to Schedule a Funeral – Please contact the parish office 770-443-0566.  If the office is closed choose option 2 on the phone system to contact a Roman Catholic Priest. 

 

How is this sacrament celebrated?

The celebration of the sacrament includes the following principal elements:

• The priest of the Church – in silence – lays hands on the sick

• They pray over them in the faith of the Church

• They then anoint them with oil blessed by the bishop

 

This sacrament can take place in the family home, a hospital or church, for a single sick person or a whole group of sick persons.  It may be celebrated within the Holy Mass.  It can be preceded by the sacrament of Penance and followed by the sacrament of the Eucharist.

 

What are the effects of the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick?

The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects:

• The uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church

• The strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age

• The forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance

• The restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul

• The preparation for passing over to eternal life.