Care for the Sick

Requirements for the Anointing
The anointing of the sick may be offered to:
-- baptized Catholics
-- who have the use of reason (and are capable of committing personal sin)
-- who are willing to turn from sin, and if possible go to confession
-- who are in danger of death for one of two reasons...
      1) have a sickness that could lead to death without medical care
      2) have reached old age, and are feeling the burden of many years

The anointing can be repeated 
-- in the event of a new threat
-- when sickness becomes noticeably worse
-- or every four to six months

PLEASE DO NOT WAIT!
As soon as you find out that you have a sickness that can end in death without medical care, prepare for Confession and go to Confession. While you can come to Church for the Anointing, come and receive the prayers of the priest and the community! 

Blessings for the Sick
What if the danger is in the future, or the sickness could not lead to death?
The Church always prays for the sick and blesses them in many ways. Blessings for the sick are available and will be offered at the daily masses where the anointing is offered.

Confirmation
What about children who have not reached the age of reason,
or those who have lost the use of reason?
Those who cannot sin cannot validly receive the anointing. They are, however, loved by Christ and His Church. For infants and young children, the appropriate sacrament is Confirmation -- which any priest can, and should, give to children who could be in danger of death from sickness.   

Those who have certainly lost the use of reason we entrust to the profound mercy of God. To the extent that someone may have the use of reason, we offer the sacraments of confession and anointing.

For acute illness, please call the emergency line (864) 897-7980 and leave a message for the priest to visit.   

Are there any among you who are sick? Let them send for the priests of the church, and let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. If they have committed any sins, their sins will be forgiven then. The prayer of faith will raise them.

The anointing of the sick is a sacrament closely connected to Penance. Whenever possible, the person should go to confession before receiving the anointing. One option for the anointing includes confession of personal sins -- but this requires privacy.

Confession/Reconciliation/Penance:
Confession is an important help for all who are sick. God's forgiveness grants peace to the individual soul and fosters healing in families and among friends.