DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE
SACRAMENT OF THE SICK ???
There is probably no sacrament more misunderstood that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. This probably is due to the fact that the “old” name for this sacrament was “Extreme Unction”. Originally, many of us saw this sacrament as the last sacrament we would receive because we were dying—however– Vatican II renewed the theology of this sacrament—and now it is seen as one of the Sacraments of HEALING.
There are times of crises and concern when moments of mental or physical illness come. These crises may be a times of loss and pain or times of insight and growth. Despite whatever the cause of our anxious concern, God wants to be a part of our experience.
Please keep in mind that there are many times that this sacrament of healing is available to you. Think about times of impending surgery (or during recovery from surgery), unrelenting pain, whether physical or emotional, or times when anxiety and physical weakness seem to be ever present. You are more that welcome to request this sacrament. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick can be received many times.
During this sacrament the priest anoints head and hands with the Oil of the Sick… and prays “through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save and raise you up.”
The most beautiful prayer from the ritual of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is one used after the anointing… “Father in heaven, through this holy anointing grant ____ comfort in his/her suffering. When he/she is afraid, give him/her courage, when afflicted, give him/her patience, when dejected, afford him/her hope, and when alone, assure him/her of the support of your holy people.”
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary-August 15
The solemnity of the Assumption gives each of us great hope as we contemplate this one facet of our Blessed Mother. Mary moves us by example and prayer to grow in God’s grace, to be receptive to God’s will, and to convert our lives through sacrifice and charity.
Mary serves as a gracious reminder to the Church that Jesus wishes all whom the Father has given Him to be raised with Him.
“Although the New Testament does not explicitly affirm Mary’s Assumption, it offers a basis for it because it strongly emphasized the Blessed Virgin’s perfect union with Jesus’ destiny.
This union, which is manifested, from the time of the Savior’s miraculous conception, in the Mother’s participation in her Son’s mission and especially in her association with his redemptive sacrifice, cannot fail to require a continuation after death.
Perfectly united with the life and saving work of Jesus, Mary shares his heavenly destiny in body and soul”
-St. John Paul II