“The anointing of the sick, by which the Church commend the dangerously ill faithful to the suffering and glorified Lord that He might support and save them, is conferred by anointing them with oil and offering the words prescribed in the liturgical books. (CIC, c. 998)” The Anointing of the Sick is a Sacrament of Healing, by which the recipient is forgiven of their sins and made ready for their final act of faith. The Anointing of the Sick is described by the Apostle James in his epistle, “Is anyone among you sick?He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [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. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.(James 5: 14-15)” It is in this sacrament that the Christian faithful are exhorted to exercise their share in the priesthood of Jesus through their baptism and confirmation and to unite their sufferings with the sufferings of Christ upon the Cross with the firm hope that they will share in the glory of Christ’s resurrection. (See CCC, 1499)
Anyone who wishes to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and/or Holy Communion should contact the parish office: 973-948-3185. The Sacrament will be administered any time of the year, day or night.
The sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers after having been anointed falls ill again, or, if during the same illness the person's condition becomes more serious. A sick person may be anointed before surgery whenever a serious illness is the reason for the surgery. While advancing in age may not always “feel” great, advanced age is not sufficient reason to be anointed. Yet, if a person is starting to show frailty and death appears to be imminent, please contact us to be anointed. Sick children who have reached the age of reason (7 yrs. old) are also to be anointed. Sick children before the age of reason who are in the danger of death are to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in accord with canon 891. At the time of death, the priest can also offer the Apostolic Blessing which removes one’s time in purgatory.
We also invite you to participate in our monthly XLT Eucharistic Adoration experience each third Thursday of the month at 7 pm which includes the laying on of hands and Anointing of the Sick for healing!