For the Sick

Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the Church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:14–15:

This sacrament is one of healing rather like Reconciliation. The Gospels contain a number of stories of Jesus healing those afflicted with a range of illnesses and disabilities. This tradition of healing the soul if not the body, of bringing calm and peace to a sick person, of sometimes reconciling them to living with a medical condition, and sometimes the consolation of God’s grace when death may be near, goes back to biblical times and is practised in many Christian denominations.

The Anointing is carried out by the priest who will very simply visit the sick person at home, pray with them and anoint them with the Oil of the Sick, an oil similar to olive oil which will have been blessed by the Bishop on Maundy Thursday. Sometimes during Lent or Advent, the Anointing of the Sick takes place in church for sick and disabled parishioners who are mobile. Again, the intent is to reconcile us to God and to living with a condition in a supportive Christian community.
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If you or one of your loved ones is seriously ill, contact Father John (parish@st-catherines-didsbury.co.uk or telephone 0161 445 2079). He will respond quickly to your request.

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And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:15