Anointing of the Sick

The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world as a healer of body and soul.  The Church continues Christ’s work of healing and salvation.  The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of healing.  Through this sacrament the priest commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he might raise them up and save them.  The priest also exhorts those who are ill to contribute to the good of the People of God by uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ….for through suffering comes redemption.

Anyone who desires to receive this sacrament is asked to call the Parish Office at (859) 431-1802 to make the necessary arrangements.  The sacrament can be received more than once and is usually conferred when someone is drawing close to death, when someone is diagnosed with and/or experiencing serious sickness (including mental illness), when someone is preparing for serious surgery, when someone has been seriously injured, when old age seriously restricts mobility or mental functioning, and/or when the deterioration of health caused by the aging process elicits overwhelming fear, dread or worry. 

The Celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at Saint Agnes Church

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated every Thursday at Saint Agnes Church after the 11:30 a.m. Mass, unless there is a funeral.

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is also celebrated with and for the parish community during all Masses on the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) and at all Masses on the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday).

At all other times, this Sacrament is provided when requested.  When someone has become afflicted by a serious health issue (be it physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual), and/or when someone’s health is deteriorating because of old age, and/or when someone is required to undergo surgery or a medical procedure that is weighty, and/or when death is imminent, contact the parish priest through the Parish Office (day or night) at (859) 431-1802 and he will provide this sacrament for the sick person as quickly as possible.  The usual procedure is for the priest to come to where the sick person is currently staying.  If there is doubt about the seriousness of the person’s condition, contact the priest and he will make a determination based on the circumstances at hand.

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is for the living.  A person in the process of dying can be anointed and if possible can be given Holy Communion one last time.  After a person has died, the priest can be called and will come to offer the prayers of the church and bless the body of the deceased.

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick can be received more than once.