What is the Anointing of the Sick?

In the Church’s Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, through the ministry of the priest, Jesus touches the sick to heal them from sin—and sometimes even from physical ailment. His cures were signs of the arrival of the Kingdom of God. The core message of his healing tells us of his plan to conquer sin and death by his death and resurrection.

The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient.

When the Priest dispenses the Sacrament of Anointing the Sick, the hoped-for effect is that if it is God’s will, God will physically heal the person’s illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.

Need to receive an Anointing?

If you have an emergency or need someone to visit, please call the parish office at 352-515-9297 to schedule an appointment. If death is imminent, please do not delay your call.