Skip to main content

Anointing of the Sick

Through this holy anointing and His most loving mercy, may the Lord assist you by the grace of the Holy Spirit, so that freed from your sins, He may save you and in His goodness raise you up.
Apostolic Constitution on the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, November 30, 1972

The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered to the dying as well as to those who are gravely ill or about to undergo a serious operation. This sacrament of mercy and healing offers prayers for the recovery, but its primary intention is to give spiritual strength and calm the soul of the one suffering from illness. Traditionally, this sacrament was referred to as Extreme Unction or Last Rites. The anointing of the sick can be administered to any member of the faithful, who, having reached the age of reason, begins to be in danger of illness or old age.

Please contact Fr. Jeffrey Wilborn if you are in need of receiving the Anointing of the Sick. Anointing is not to be delayed to the last minute. A person who has been anointed once does not need to be anointed again within the same illness. It is also important for someone who is anointed to be prepared to go to confession when the priest arrives (if they are able). 

Contact Fr. Jeff at ourladyoftheplains@gmail.com or call 303.822.5880.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How often may the sacrament of anointing be administered?
    The sacrament can be repeated if the sick person has recovered after his previous reception of anointing. It can also be conferred again, if during the same illness, the dangerous condition becomes more serious.
  • What about receiving the sacrament before undergoing surgery?
    Before surgery, holy anointing can be given to the sick person as often as the dangerous illness is the cause of this surgery.

When to Call a Priest

– Diagnosis of serious disease: call parish to come in and meet with priest.
– Terminal Diagnosis: call parish to come in and meet with priest.
– Homebound: call parish to schedule a visit within a given week.

For the integrity of the sacrament the priest will hear the confession of the person to be anointed.

LEARN MORE

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.  As soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived.  If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can in the case of another grave illness receive this sacrament again.  If during the same illness the person’s condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated.  It is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to a serious operation.  The same holds for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced. – CCC, 1499, 1514-1515