About
Anointing of the Sick may be received by Catholics who have attained the use of reason (even if later they suffer from dementia or are unconscious) and who begin to suffer from a dangerous illness, injury, or the infirmity of old age. It may be repeated when a person recovers and falls ill again or when the same illness or injury takes a serious turn for the worse.
Only a bishop or priest may administer Anointing of the Sick. If you or someone you know is in need of this sacrament, please contact the pastor at (573) 455-2725.
Please note that hospitals and nursing homes may not notify the parish unless explicitly asked to by a patient or family member.
Last Rites
“Last Rites” is an umbrella term used to refer to the final sacraments and sacramentals that a Catholic receives before death.
The Last Rites include:
- Confession
- The Apostolic Blessing (with plenary indulgence)
- Anointing of the Sick (also called Extreme Unction)
- Holy Communion as Viaticum
- The Commendation of the Dying
There is no need to put these important rituals off till the last moment before death. As soon as someone begins to be in danger of death, please contact the pastor at (573) 455-2725.
Grace for Spiritual and Physical Healing
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.
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1532)
Contact Us
- If you or someone you know is in need of this sacrament, please contact the pastor at (573) 455-2725.