Anointing of the Sick

The gospels recount that the sick came to Jesus for healing. The Church continues to minister to the sick through the sacraments of healing, particularly the anointing of the sick. This sacrament used to be called “Extreme Unction” and was often administered only when a person was at the point of death. However, the Second Vatican Council taught that ‘ “Extreme unction,” which may also, and more fittingly, be called "Anointing of the Sick," is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium 73).

In celebrating the sacrament we follow the directions given by the apostle James, ‘Are there any who are sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick persons, and the Lord will raise them up; and if they have committed any sins, their sins will be forgiven them.’

The Catholic Chaplaincy at Darlington Memorial Hospital is staffed by Carol Moody (tel. 01325743029). You can also contact Fr Tony or the SVP if you are sick or housebound and would like to be visited.