If you are in need of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, please call the parish office to schedule an appointment with a priest.
505-836-5011
The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of the Church in which the priest prays, lays hands on and anoints the sick person with blessed oil. The sacrament was instituted in the healing ministry of Jesus. In James 5:14-15 we read, “Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and prayer of faith will save the sick person.”
Anointing of the Sick, contrary to popular understanding, is not “last rites.” The purpose of this sacrament is to invoke the healing power of Christ. God’s healing may occur in many different ways. Although a cure implies complete remission of bodily symptoms, healing can be physical, spiritual or emotional.
Anyone who is dangerously ill due to sickness, injury or old age may be anointed. The sacrament is for serious mental or emotional illness as well. A person should be anointed at the beginning of illness or serious health conditions. The sacrament may be repeated if the recipient suffers from a different illness or injury, or if the same illness or condition becomes more serious. Elderly people may be anointed if they have become weakened even though no serious illness is present.