Sacrament of the Sick

In many of these photos we Redemptorists here in Villa San Alfonso, are receiving the Sacrament of the Church which is called THE SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK. Those of us Redemptorists here at Villa San Alfonso who were also ordained as priests have taken this Sacrament of the Sick to many people: here in the States, in Brazil, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.  

Many of us have lamented the phrase “Extreme Unction” which before the II Vatican Council was the frequent way of referring to this Sacrament. Many of us believe that it caused many people not to invite us to bring them this Anointing of the Sick until they were nearly close to death. (I, who write this, Fr. Tom Deely C.Ss.R, was often saddened in my last years of active ministry in Philadelphia, when so many people did not ask for this Sacrament, the Anointing of the Sick for themselves or for their sick family member.) 

For this reason, here is what the Church says about the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. (We Redemptorists here at Villa San Alfonso have an opportunity every three months or so to be anointed, as these pictures show us being anointed by our Rector here, Fr. Raymond Collins C.Ss.R.

TAKEN FROM THE CATHECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
II. WHO CAN RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT (“ANOINTING”) OF THE SICK

In the case of serious illness ...
The Anointing of the Sick is not only a Sacrament for those practically at the point of death. For this reason, the opportune time for a person to receive this Anointing is at the onset of any serious or life-threatening illness or when a person is advanced in years. (CC 73; cf CIC, can. 1004, §1; 1005; 1007; CCEO, can. 738).

1515 If the sick person who has been anointed recovers their health, they may, in the case of a new serious sickness, or if the present sickness becomes graver, they may be anointed again. It is important also to receive the Anointing of the Sick before any important medical operation. This also applies to persons of advanced age if their physical condition worsens.

CC=Catechism of the Catholic Church 
CIC= Code of Canon Law
CCEO= Code of Canon Law for Eastern Churches