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Anointing of the Sick

”Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion.”

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1422

This sacrament is given to those who are seriously ill by a priest anointing them on the forehead and hands with duly blessed oil saying, “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.”

In the case of serious illness in the family, please call the office immediately at 303.988.6435. Do not wait until death is imminent. During hours when the office is closed, you will be directed to the emergency line.

When to Call a Priest

Diagnosis of serious disease: call parish to come in and meet with priest.
Terminal Diagnosis: call parish to come in and meet with priest.
Homebound: call parish to schedule a visit within a given week.

For the integrity of the sacrament the priest will hear the confession of the person to be anointed.

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By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them.  And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.  As soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived.  If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can in the case of another grave illness receive this sacrament again.  If during the same illness the person’s condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated.  It is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to a serious operation.  The same holds for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced. – CCC, 1499, 1514-1515