Anointing of the Sick

This sacrament unites a sick person’s suffering with that of Jesus and brings forgiveness of sins. When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person will be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the sacrament is a spiritual healing, by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age. Anointing of the Sick can be repeated whenever a person again falls into serious sickness, or whenever a more serious crisis develops during the same sickness.

In the revised rite of the Church, this sacrament may be administered to a Catholic prior to a serious operation, in the event of serious illness, for anyone who needs the Lord’s healing power, or because of the immediate possibility of death. The sacrament may be received in a church, at home, at the hospital, or wherever circumstances dictate.

Please call the Parish Office at 314.878.2120 or write to parishoffice@stanselmstl.org to make arrangements for the celebration of this sacrament of healing. If there is urgent need for this sacrament, please call either Fr. Gerard Garrigan (314.606.4186), Fr. Francis Hein (314.456.2652), or Fr. Aidan McDermott (314.456.1302).