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The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered upon
request to anyone who is in need of healing. This usually includes anyone who has
undergone or who will undergo an operation, anyone with a chronic condition (e.g.
diabetes, etc.), anyone who will be in the hospital for an extended period of time, and
those among the elderly who feel their age has affected their health.
The Sacrament of Anointing is offered every 1st Saturday after the 9 am Mass. It is also celebrated once a year at the Riverwood Nursing Home here on the Island. One can be anointed every few months for the same illness. In the past, this sacrament was called the "Last Rites", due to the fact that it was given only to the dying. However, this does not reflect the correct theology and purpose of the sacrament, and is no longer called "Last Rites." If a person is dying, there are special prayers that are said either in addition to or instead of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. All Western New York hospitals have chaplains for emergencies. All Catholic hospitals have permanent chaplains for visitation and the other sacraments. Hospital chaplains have the responsibility of anointing the sick who are patients in their hospital. |
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