Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered at St. Thomas the Apostle on the First Friday of each month in the Church, during a dedicated 11:00 AM Mass. Anyone of advanced age or suffering from a terminal illness, facing surgery or living with other serious illness is encouraged to attend this Mass and receive this healing Sacrament. Masks are required.

Anointing of the Sick (or Extreme Unction or Last Rites) anoints chronically ill, sick, injured, or dying persons, offering forgiveness from sin, abundant grace, and healing in body and soul. “Is anyone ill 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.  And a prayer of faith shall save the infirm, and the Lord shall alleviate him. And if he has sins, these shall be forgiven him.” (James 5:14-15).

Others benefiting from the grace available in this sacrament may be those about to undergo surgery and/or a serious medical procedure. 

Call the Parish Office at 520-577-8780 to schedule an appropriate anointing time. You do not need to wait until death is near to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick; it gives strength and support to all involved.

When a Catholic is very sick, the Church anoints the person with oil in a special ritual of healing called Anointing of the Sick. Prior to Vatican II, the Sacrament of the sick was called the "Last Rites." Because of its name, it was assumed that it was the Sacrament of the dying. When someone was dying, the priest was called at the last possible minute to administer the Sacrament. If the person caring for the sick waited too long, the sick person sometime died without having his confession heard or the special ritual of healing applied.

The church now encourages anyone who is seriously sick to call upon the priest in order to receive the Sacrament. So if you or someone you know is seriously sick, call upon the priest to administer the Sacrament of the Sick or attend the First Friday Anointing Mass here at St. Thomas.

It is not necessary for you or another person to be dying at that exact moment. The Sacrament of the Sick is to obtain God's healing grace. The illness need not be terminal; old age itself is sufficient.

If you are seriously sick, about to have serious surgery or enter hospice, consider asking for the sacrament to aid in your spiritual or physical healing.