Annointing of the Sick

Hospital Pager Number:   (512) 473-6349

Catholic spiritual care encompasses a wholistic concern for body, mind, and spirit: the totality of the person. Our Hospital/Nursing Home Ministry team reaches out with priests, deacons, and trained laypersons.

• Prayer: A Catholic layperson or deacon will respond with a pastoral visit.
• The Eucharist: Lay ministers are available to bring communion to a patient.
• Reconciliation  (Confession): A priest must be contacted.
• Anointing of the Sick: Any baptized Catholic of any age facing a serious health condition, including advanced years, may receive this sacrament. The priest is the only proper minister of the Anointing of the Sick.

In the past, the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was known as the "Last Rites". Fortunately, this sacrament does not need to be postponed until one is very ill. One should not wait until near death, but should be anointed well before that moment.

What to do when a Roman Catholic requests "Last Rites"?

In the moments of a health crisis, families frequently desire to have a priest visit their loved one. Due to the realities of a priest shortage and parish workloads, it may be difficult or impossible for a parish priest to answer a call on short notice. While a hospital may fall within the territorial responsibilities of a parish, patients are advised to have reasonable expectations if they are not in a hospital with an assigned priest or chaplain. A priest will maker every effort to respond if a Catholic patient has not been anointed.

What can be done for a dying patient who has already received the sacrament of the anointing?

Usually the sacrament of anointing is given only once per hospital stay. The proper sacrament is called "VIATICUM"(which is HOLY COMMUNION.) This is, in fact, considered the last sacrament of our Christian life.

Ministry to the Dying and Bereaved

For the benefit of patients who may be in immediate danger of death, and for the consolation of their loved ones, the Church has prayers of commendation that may be led by a deacon or layperson.

What if the patient has already died?

Since it is the Catholic belief that sacraments are only celebrated for the living, the dead cannot receive the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. The Church has a number of prayers for the deceased and the grieving that can be lead by a deacon or layperson.

If the patient is a resident of Trinity or Hearthstone Nursing Homes, it is probable that they have already received the sacrament of the anointing of the sick under the care of St. William Nursing Home Ministry. Records of anointings are kept at the church office and with the nursing home ministry coordinator.