The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is for any baptized person who has reached the age of reason (7 years old) and is in danger of death by a medical ailment.
If you, a loved one, or someone you know needs and would like to receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, please contact Fr. Dandeneau at the St. Eugene Church Parish Office: (401) 568-5102 as soon as possible. Please do not hesitate to contact Fr. Dandeneau for this request at any time of day or night, especially if there is an emergency or urgent need.
Scripture
Mark 6:13: “The Twelve cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them”.
James 5:14: “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven”.
Tradition
Origen mentions the forgiveness of sins involving anointing
St. Hippolytus of Rome composed a church ritual containing a short prayer for the consecration of the oil in which prayers were offered for the “strengthening of all who require it and the health of all who use it”.
The Euchologion of Serapion of Thmuis (d. A.D. 360) contains a detailed prayer in which liberation from bodily illness and debility, expulsion of evil spirits, communication of grace, and forgiveness of sins are mentioned as effects of this sacrament.
Innocent I (A.D. 401-417) attests that James 5:14 is to be taken as referring to the faithful who are sick, that the oil of the sick must be prepared, that is, consecrated by the bishop, and that the anointing of the sick may be undertaken, not only by the priests but also by the bishop, and that the anointing of the sick is a “Sacrament”
Caesarius of Arles (d. 542) exhorts the faithful, in the case of sickness, not to go to soothsayers and magicians, nor to seek cures by the application of magic, but instead of this to come to the Church, to receive the Body and Blood of Christ, and to be anointed with the oil consecrated by the priests. In this manner, they will achieve the health of the body and the remission of sin. According to Caesarius, the sick person as a rule undertakes anointing himself/herself and parents perform this function on their children
St. Bede (d. A.D. 735) and authors of the Carlovingian era attest the administration of the Anointing of the Sick by the priests; however, along with Pope Innocent, Bede permitted the private use of oil consecrated by the bishop
From the Carlovingian era onwards, bishops and synods exhort that the reception of this Sacrament should not be neglected
The rarity of the reception of this Sacrament was due to abuses such as unduly high offerings required and erroneous views such as that marital intimacy, consuming meat, and going barefoot after its reception were required
Matter
The matter of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is olive oil from the fruit of the olive tree. The oil must be and is consecrated by the bishop each year at the Chrism Mass during Holy Week. In emergencies and cases of necessity, oil can be consecrated by a priest. The individual being anointed must at least be anointed on one single sense (typically the forehead) but usually the forehead and palms of each hand are anointed.
Form
The prayer of the priest which accompanies the anointing: “Through this holy anointing, may the Lord, in His love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. Amen. May the Lord, Who frees you from sin, save you and raise you up. Amen”.
Effects
Gives the sick person sanctifying grace in order to strengthen them
Remits mortal sins still remaining and venial sins
Brings about restoration of bodily health if this is of spiritual advantage
Catechism of the Catholic Church “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.”
