He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two…They anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. (Mark 6:7, 13)
The sacramental anointing gives the grace of the Holy Spirit to those who aare sick. By this grace, the whole person is helped, is sustained by trust in God, and strengthened against temptation and against anxiety. The sacrament may be celebrated at home, in the hospital, or in church. It is fitting for the parish sometimes to celebrate the sacrament as part of a communal gathering.
Please contact the parish office at 812-232-8421 to set up an appointment to receive this Sacrament.
Anyone who is "seriously ill". The Letter of St. James simply says, "If anyone is sick, let them call the priests ..." (James 5:14f). By tradition, "seriously ill" includes someone so sick that they should not get out of bed and/or leave the house, or is in the hospital, or is in danger of impairment or even death. It also includes people preparing for serious surgery, as well as the elderly who have become notably weakened. We use "prudent judgement" to decide what is "serious" or not.
"Suffering and illness have always been among the greatest problems that trouble the human spirit. Christians feel and experience pain as do all other people. Yet their faith helps them to grasp more deeply the mystery of suffering and to bear their pain with greater courage.
"Sickness cannot be regarded as a punishments' inflicted on the individual for personal sins (John 9:3). Christ himself, who is without sin,. took on all the wounds of his passion and shared in all human pain (Isaiah 53:4-5).
"Part of the plan laid our by God's providence is that we should fight against sickness, suffering and wrong, and should seek the blessings of good health, so that we may fulfill our role in human society. ... That is why, through the sacrament of anointing, Christ strengthens the faithful who are afflicted by illness, providing them with the strongest means of support. Thus the sick person is able not only to bear suffering bravely, but also fight against it."
Pastoral Care of the Sick, par. 1-6.
Once to twice a year here at St. Benedict's, we offer the anointing of the sick after a Sunday Mass for all who need it. This is usually done near the beginning and near the end of winter. Dates and times will be announced.