Contemporary Anointing of the Sick and Roman Catholic Rite

Contemporary Anointing of the Sick

Blessed are you, Loving God,

The boundless love of your presence blesses us

at every moment of our lives.

May your compassion radiate from each of us

and bring the blessing of your tender touch to_______

___________, the same Spirit that moved in Jesus,

dwells in you and fills you with love and peace beyond

all imagination. All of your loved ones in this community and

in the Communion of the  Saints join us in prayer.

In their name and in the name of God I/we  now anoint you

for your journey. (anoint forehead and hands)

___________, you are embraced by the Holy One

and by all who are praying for you.

May you feel the power of divine love

healing, comforting and strengthening you.

In the name of God, our Creator, Jesus our brother and the

Holy Spirit, our Wisdom. Amen

Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP

Roman Catholic Ritual

(Anoint forehead and say:)

Through this holy anointing, may God in love and mercy help you

with the grace of the Holy Spirit.

(Then anoint hands)

May God who frees you from sin save you and raise you up. Amen.

(Recite Prayer of Jesus. Our Father....)

Closing Prayer:

God in heaven, through this holy anointing grant_________

comfort in his/her suffering. When he/she is afraid, give him/her courage, 

when afflicted, give him/her patience, when dejected, give him/her hope.

And when alone, assure him/her of the support of your holy people. 

We ask this through Christ, our healer. Amen.

May the blessing of our loving God be with you forever.

(Adapted with inclusive language)

Bridget Mary Meehan anoints her Dad Jack at a house church liturgy in Florida. 

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is offered to people who are ill or facing surgery. The focus of this sacrament is on healing.  Before Vatican 11, the focus of this sacrament, then referred to as Extreme Unction was preparation for death.  After Vatican 11, the church  encouraged parishes to celebrate this sacrament at a Eucharistic Liturgy. In this photo, Bridget Mary Meehan anoints her Dad, Jack Meehan.