The rite of Anointing of the Sick is offered monthly at the First Friday Healing Mass at 6:30 PM and by special appointment with our Pastor or Deacon. For more information, please call the main office at 706-323-6908.
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick in the Catholic Church
(formerly known as Last Rites)
The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick has as its purpose the conferral of a special grace on the Christian experiencing the difficulties inherent in the condition of grave illness or old age. The proper time for receiving this holy anointing has certainly arrived when the believer begins to be in danger of death because of illness or old age. Each time a Christian falls seriously ill, he/she may receive the Anointing of the Sick, and also when, after he/she has received it, the illness worsens.
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.