The Oil of the Sick is used for many persons who associate this the healing of body, mind, and Sacrament with death and dying spirit. The oil is used year for so much that caregivers are the Sacrament of Anointing of anxious to have a priest come to the Sick, a Sacrament that anoint if they think someone is celebrates an encounter with near to death. The Sacrament is the healing Christ. for healing. So sick persons - By becoming man, Jesus young, old, advanced in age, experienced suffering and terminally ill and those preparing death. Those who are sick unite for surgery should ask for this their sufferings to those of Sacrament. The grace of this Christ and become witnesses of Sacrament is healing of body, Christ’s Resurrection, testifying mind and spirit.” to the fact that all are called to Some parishes have communal participate in the redemption of celebrations at which many the world. The ministry of those people receive the Sacrament. who are sick is a powerful Following a celebration at witness to the fact that human Nativity Parish in Longwood, dignity is intrinsic and does not increase or decrease Mary Ann Zanata described the experience as based on a person’s physical state or abilities. “beautiful and special.” She said she was so happy to The Sacrament is administered by a priest and can be be there to celebrate with her community of faith, offered in a home, hospital, or church setting. The especially those brought by family members or friends celebration begins with a Penitential Rite followed by who were not usually able to participate in the Sunday the Liturgy of the Word, the laying on of hands and liturgy. sacramental anointing. When the Rite is celebrated in Mary Nielsen from Nativity said celebrating the the home or hospital, family and friends who are Sacrament “brings feelings of peace and joy” and is a gathered can also draw inspiration and comfort. reminder of God’s continual presence. Others spoke The Rite of Anointing says that there is no need to about receiving the Holy Spirit’s gifts of strength and wait until a person is at the point of death to receive courage and a renewed trust and faith in God. the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious Through the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, the nature of the illness is sufficient. The Sacrament can Church carries out Jesus’ mission of compassion and be repeated each time there is a threat of serious healing for the sick. Those who care for the sick do illness. holy and important work; they walk with Christ’s “I have been privileged to celebrate the Sacrament of suffering people and in doing so, serve Christ himself. Anointing of the Sick with many persons over the To arrange to receive the Sacrament years especially in my native Jamaica and more of Anointing of the Sick for yourself or recently as pastor of St. Patrick, Mount Dora,” said a family member, contact your parish Franciscan Father Anthony Aarons. “There are so office. .