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. Joseph Church Parish Office: (401) 568-2411 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.”
Prayer for Healing
Lord, look upon me with eyes of mercy, may your healing hand rest upon me, may your life-giving powers flow into every cell of my body and into the depths of my soul, cleansing, purifying, restoring me to wholeness and strength for service in your Kingdom. Amen.
Prayer for Healing
O God who are the only source of health and healing, the Spirit of calm and the central peace of this universe, grant to me such a consciousness of Your indwelling and surrounding presence that I may permit You to give me health and strength and peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
To Ask For Spiritual Healing
O Lord, I feel weakness in my beliefs…doubts flood my mind and weaken my heart. I need you Lord, to help me make sense of my life and face the future with hope. Today more than ever I ask; O Lord, increase my faith, strengthen my confidence in you, and guide me in my life. Through Christ our Lord, Amen
To Ask For Healing For Physical Pain
Today, I feel pain just as you felt the pain of the Crown of Thorns in your flesh, O Lord. I know that the disease is one aspect of being human, but I need your help to accept this pain with love and understanding. Help me, Lord, increase my faith so that I can continue to put my trust in you. Through Christ our Lord, Amen
To Ask For Protection For Children
I need your help, Lord, to lead my children on the path to goodness. The dangers they face are many and sometimes their will is weak. Accompany my children every day, open their hearts to your Gospel, and help them overcome the trials and temptations presented to them in their lives. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
To Carry Burdens With Love
Sometimes I feel that I also carry a very heavy cross, O Lord. Sometimes I feel faint with the many burdens in my life. Give me some of your strength which enabled you to carry your cross to Calvary, where you were crucified so that we could live in your everlasting grace. Join me each day to help me carry my crosses as you bore yours. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
To Achieve Healing In The Family
Holy Father, help us to understand the mysterious reality of suffering that is occurring in our family. Do not let despair seize us in our time of pain. We know that you are our Father and you can provide the strength we need to face any difficulty in life. Walk alongside us in our suffering and give us faith to accept your will. We ask this in the name of Christ, our Lord and brother, who lives with you and with us forever. Amen
For Strength In Time Of Disease
Lord, I know you understand my suffering and the suffering of my loved ones. Place yourself by our side at this difficult time of life, and strengthen our faith and trust in you. Through Chris our Lord, Amen.
For Strength In Time Of Depression
Lord Jesus, I feel that my faith is weakening and my trust in you. Today, I need you more than ever. Come to me and help me with this depression that threatens my life and peace with others. Through Christ our Lord, Amen
For Strength When Faced with The Fear of Death
Gracious Father, I fear my death. I know that I will dwell with you in life everlasting, but I need your strength now as I leave this life. Help me see into your celestial home in hope that I will live with you in peace and everlasting happiness. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
On the Death Of A Loved One
Lord Jesus, we beseech your infinite mercy for our loved ones who have taken their final steps toward new and everlasting life. You promised eternal salvation so generously to all who believe in you. O Lord, we are yours, and you are with us. In your infinite goodness, please grant eternal rest to our loved ones and may your perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.
For Strength In Solitude
Holy Father, I often think I have been abandoned but I know you are always with me. Seek me out when I need you most in my times of terrible loneliness. Help me through the days and nights, knowing always your love for me. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
To Bring Unity To My Family
Today and every day, our family needs strength to bond together. Help us to accept with respect the differences between parents and children, between husband and wife, emphasizing those values that those values that unite us as a family. Lord, give us the path to find love and respect for each other, and faith that you are with us each day. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
To Keep The Family Healthy
Holy Father, look with mercy on my family as you did with your family. I put all my trust in you to help keep us alive and following your vision for our family’s future. Give meaning to our lives to make our home an authentic expression of our will. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
For Strength Against Addiction
Lord, today and every day, I need your light. The addiction that temp me and torture me have closed my mind to your will, and wrapped me in deep darkness like the night. Be my light radiating out of the darkness of my addiction., to direct my faltering steps toward the total release that is now enslaving my life. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
To Achieve Inner Peace
Gracious Father, today I am not at peace. I need you, O Lord to help me experience true internal peace in my life. In your hands, I place my heart, my life and my soul. Accept them as an offering that is pleasing to your eyes. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
To be Always Faithful
Holy Father, I want to be faithful in my devotion to you. Help me to find what is really important in my life and give me strength to attain these goals. Help me decide to be faithful to the Christian ideals that give meaning to my life. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Prayer Before Surgery
Loving Father, I entrust myself to your care this day; guide with wisdom and skill the minds and hands of the medical people who minister in your Name, and grant that every cause of illness be removed, I may be restored to soundness of health and learn to live in more perfect harmony with you and with those around me. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Into your hands, I commend my body and my soul. Amen.
Prayer After Surgery
Blessed Savior, I thank you that this operation is safely past, and now I rest in your abiding presence, relaxing every tension, releasing every care and anxiety, receiving more and more of your healing life into every part of my being. In moments of pain I turn to you for strength, in times of loneliness I feel your loving nearness. Grant that your life and love and joy may flow through me for the healing of others in your name. Amen.
A Prayer to St. Peregrine for One Suffering from Cancer
Dear St. Peregrine, I need your help. I feel so uncertain of my life right now. This serious illness makes me long for a sign of God’s love. Help me to imitate your enduring faith when you faced the ugliness of cancer and surgery. Allow me to trust the Lord the way you did in this moment of distress.
I want to be cured, but right now I ask God for the strength to bear the cross in my life. I seek the power to proclaim God’s presence in my life despite the hardship, anguish and fear I now experience.
O Glorious St. Peregrine, be an inspiration to me and petitioner of those needed graces from our loving Father. Amen.
