Anointing of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick is for Catholics who are sick or facing life threatening situations (like major surgery or a serious medical emergency), as well as those who may be facing immanent death. Because of the notion that calling the priest for this sacrament may mean giving up on a dying loved one, many Catholics wait until too late to call the priest.
Doing this risks leaving the dying person without the important graces of this sacrament.
The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament.
A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient.
This sacrament is described in the New Testament by the Apostle James when he writes:
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise.
Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man,
and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
James 5:13-15
Please in such circumstances contact the Catholic Chaplain at Torbay Hospital if the person is in hospital, or the parish office on this number: 01626 365231