Traditionally referred to as Extreme Unction or Last Rites, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was previously most commonly administered to the dying, for the remission of sins, and the provision of spiritual strength and health. In modern times, however, its use has been expanded to all who are gravely ill or are about to undergo a serious operation.

The Church stresses a secondary effect of the sacrament: to help a person recover his health. Like Confession and Holy Communion, to which it is closely linked, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick can be repeated as often as is necessary.

It is the Pastor’s and Deacons’ desire to provide the Sacraments or pastoral visits to our parishioners. Because the Federal Privacy Act (HIPAA) will not allow us to respond if requests are made by friends or some other non-family member, it is important that the patient or a family member let the Pastor or one of the Deacons know when they are needed.  When you or a family member are hospitalized or are homebound and are in need of the Sacrament of the Sick, please phone the parish office at 303-420-1232 to arrange for a visit. It is also recommended that the person or family to inform the hospital or nursing home upon admission that the patient desires visits from the Church.

If you anticipate a hospital stay or have a serious health problem, please ask Father for the Sacrament following Mass or contact the office as soon as possible to set up an appointment.  Although it is sometimes impossible to anticipate the need, waiting until the last minute could result in no priest being available or no time for the priest to arrive.  Remember, only a priest may provide this Sacrament as it includes remission of sin  as well as healing.

The Sacrament of the Sick is a Sacrament of healing and should occur early in an illness when possible so that the patient will be able to participate in it.

Viaticum

The Sacrament proper to the dying is Viaticum, the reception of the Holy Eucharist as “food for the journey.” A priest is the ordinary minister of Viaticum; however, this responsibility may be delegated to a deacon or to an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. This is particularly true when the danger of death is imminent; the person’s right to receive the sacrament will then supersede the requirement that the priest administers the Sacrament.

For an anointing or Viaticum, contact the parish office at 303.420.1232. After-hours extension x450.

“Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness, man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations, and his finitude…Illness can lead to anguish…It can also make a person more mature, helping him discern in his life what is not essential so that he can turn toward that which is. Very often illness provokes a search for God and a return to him.”-Catechism of the Catholic Church 1500-1501

“The Church believes and confesses that among the seven sacraments there is one especially intended to strengthen those who are being tried by illness, the Anointing of the Sick…The Anointing of the Sick is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, 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.” -Catechism of the Catholic Church 1511, 1514-1515