Call a priest for someone who is ill
If someone is seriously ill or dying, call at any hour. Do not wait until the last moment: the sacrament brings most comfort while the person can still pray with the priest.
Call the parish: +234 700 555 0123
When you call
- Say who is ill, where they are (home address, or hospital, ward and bed) and how ill they are.
- Give a phone number the priest can call on the way.
- If you can, prepare a small table with a clean cloth, a crucifix, a candle and a glass of water.
Holy Communion for the sick and housebound
If someone cannot come to Mass because of illness or age, the parish can bring Holy Communion to them at home.
Call or message the parish office with their name, address and the best day for a visit. A priest or an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion will come.
What the Church teaches
“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.”
The Anointing of the Sick is not only for those at the point of death. As soon as anyone begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the right time to receive it has already come.
“The first grace of this sacrament is one of strengthening, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of serious illness or the frailty of old age.”
To those about to leave this life the Church offers, with the Anointing, the Eucharist as viaticum: food for the journey to the Father.
James 5:14-15 Saint James tells the sick to call the elders of the Church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.
Mark 6:13 The apostles anoint many who are sick with oil and heal them.
Matthew 25:36 Jesus counts a visit to the sick as a visit to himself.
Catechism §1499 · Catechism §1514 · Catechism §1520 · Catechism §1524 · James 5:14-15 · Mark 6:13 · Matthew 25:36
What is needed
Any baptised Catholic who has reached the age of reason and is seriously ill, weakened by old age, or about to have a serious operation may receive the sacrament. It can be received again if the illness grows worse or a new illness comes.
Requirements
- Seriously ill, at home or in hospital, or frail with old age.
- About to have a serious operation.
- Children who are seriously ill and old enough to understand the sacrament.
- If they are able, the sick person may make a confession and receive Holy Communion during the same visit.
The sacrament is for the living. If someone has already died, still call the priest: he will come to pray with the family and commend the person to God.
Questions people ask
Does anointing mean the person is dying?
No. The sacrament is for anyone seriously ill or weakened by age, not only the dying (CCC 1514). Many receive it and recover.
Can it be received more than once?
Yes: if the person recovers and falls ill again, or if the same illness becomes more serious (CCC 1515).
Will the priest come to the hospital?
Yes. Give the name of the hospital, the ward and the bed when you call.
What is viaticum?
Holy Communion given to a person who is dying, as food for the journey to the Father (CCC 1524).