Anointing of the Sick Outside of Mass
An (L) indicates that a text is also provided in Latin, after the English.
1. INTRODUCTION
2. INTRODUCTORY RITES
a. Greeting
b. Sprinkling with Holy Water
c. Instruction
d. Sacrament of Penance (L) or Penitential Rite
3. LITURGY OF THE WORD
4. LITURGY OF ANOINTING
a. Litany
b. Laying on of Hands
c. Prayer over the Oil
- Thanksgiving over blessed Oil
- Blessing of Oil (L)
d. Anointing (L)
e. Prayer after Anointing
f. The Lord’s Prayer
5. [LITURGY OF HOLY COMMUNION]
a. Communion (L)
b. Silent Prayer
c. Prayer after Communion
6. CONCLUDING RITE
a. Blessing (L)
INTRODUCTION
Please note that the General Introduction for the Pastoral Care of the Sick: Rites of Anointing and Viaticum, can be found in Pastoral Care of the Sick - Readings found in the ‘Rites’ section of the iBreviary.
He has borne our weakness and endured our suffering.
111. The rite which follows provides for the celebration of the sacrament of anointing outside Mass. This celebration takes place in the home, in a hospital or institution, or in church. Appropriate vestments should be worn by the priest.
112. The priest should inquire beforehand about the physical and spiritual condition of the sick person and he should become acquainted with the family, friends, and others who may be present. If possible, he should involve them in the preparation for the celebration, for example, in the choice of the readings and prayers, and he should explain to them the significance of the sacrament. Since the liturgical texts appear in the singular, they must be adapted in gender and number for a celebration in which two or more people are anointed.
113. If the sick person wishes to celebrate the sacrament of penance, it is preferable that the priest make himself available for this during a previous visit. If it is necessary for the sick person to confess during the celebration of the sacrament of anointing, this takes the place of the penitential rite.
114. If Communion is to be given during the celebration, this occurs after the liturgy of anointing.
INTRODUCTORY RITES
GREETING
115. The priest greets the sick person and the others present. One of the following greetings may be used:
A. The peace of the Lord be with you always.
B. Peace be with you (this house) and with all who live here
C. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
D. The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Response: And also with you. [NTRM: And with your spirit.]
If Communion is to take place during the rite, the priest then places the Blessed Sacrament on the table, and all join in adoration.
SPRINKLING WITH HOLY WATER
If it seems desirable, the priest may sprinkle the sick person and those present with holy water. One of the following may be used:
A
The Lord is our shepherd
and leads us to streams of living water
B
Like a stream in parched land,
may the grace of the Lord refresh our lives.
C
Let this water call to mind our baptism into Christ,
who by his death and resurrection has redeemed us.
INSTRUCTION
117. Then he addresses those present in these or similar words:
My dear friends, we are gathered here in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who is present among us. As the gospels relate, the sick came to him for healing; moreover, he loves us so much that he died for our sake. Through the apostle James, he has commanded us: “Are there any who are sick among you? 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; and the prayer of faith will save the sick persons, and the Lord will raise them up; and if they have committed any sins, their sins will be forgiven them.” Let us therefore commend our sick brother/sister N. to the grace and power of Christ, that he may save him/her and raise him/her up.
If the sacrament of penance is now celebrated the penitential rite is omitted.
After the confession of the penitent, the priest extends his hands over the penitent’s head (or at least extends his right hand); care should be taken that this gesture is not confused with the laying on of hands during anointing. He says:
God, the Father of mercies,
through the death and resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the Church
may God give you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you from your sins
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, +
and of the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
Deus, Pater misericordiárum,
qui per mortem et resurrectiónem Fílii sui
mundum sibi reconciliávit
et Spíritum Sanctum effúdit in remissiónem peccatórum,
per ministérium Ecclésiæ indulgéntiam tibi tríbuat et pacem.
Et ego te absólvo a peccátis tuis
in nómine Patris et Fílii + et Spíritus Sancti.
R. Amen.]
PENITENTIAL RITE
118. The priest invites the sick person and all present to join in the penitential rite, using these or similar words:
A. My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves for this holy anointing, let us call to mind our sins.
B. My brothers and sisters, as we prepare to celebrate this holy sacrament, let us acknowledge our failings and ask the Lord for pardon and strength.
C. My brothers and sisters, let us turn with confidence to the Lord and ask his forgiveness for all our sins.
D. Coming together as God’s family, with confidence let us ask the Lord’s forgiveness, for he is full of gentleness and compassion.
After a brief period of silence, the penitential rite continues, using one of the following:
A All say:
I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault
They strike their breast:
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
[NTRM:
I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
And, striking their breast, they say:
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
Then they continue:
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.]
B
Lord Jesus, you healed the sick:
Lord, have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you forgave sinners:
Christ, have mercy.
R. Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you give us yourself
to heal us and bring us strength:
Lord, have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy.
The priest concludes the penitential rite with the following:
May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
R. Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
READING
119. The word of God is proclaimed by one of those present or by the priest. An appropriate reading from Part III (found in the ‘Rites’ Section of the iBreviary under Pastoral Care of the Sick - Readings) or one of the following readings may be used:
Matthew Mark Luke
Matthew 11:25-30
Childlike confidence in the goodness of God will bring us the "rest" that only Jesus can give.
On one occasion, Jesus spoke thus: “Father, Lord of heaven and earth, to you I offer praise; for what you have hidden from the learned and the clever you have revealed to the merest of children. Father, it is true. You have graciously willed it so. Everything has been given over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son but the Father, and no one knows the Father but the Son—and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Mark 2:1-12
Much more important than the health of our bodies is the peace and consolation of the presence of Jesus who can forgive us our sins and reconcile us with God.
Jesus came back to Capernaum after a lapse of several days and word got around that he was at home. At that they began to gather in great numbers. There was no longer any room for them, even around the door. While he was delivering God’s word to them, some people arrived bringing a paralyzed man to him. The four who carried him were unable to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they began to open up the roof over the spot where Jesus was. When they had made a hole, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves: “Why does the man talk in that way? He commits blasphemy! Who can forgive sins except God alone?” Jesus was immediately aware of their reasoning, though they kept it to themselves, and he said to them: “Why do you harbor these thoughts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk again’? That you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (he said to the paralyzed man), “I command you: Stand up! Pick up your mat and go home.” The man stood and picked up his mat and went outside in the sight of everyone. They were awestruck; all gave praise to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Luke 7:18b-23
The healing hand of Christ is a sign of the presence of God; that same hand is extended to us in this sacrament now, to console and strengthen us.
Summoning two of them, John sent them to ask the Lord, “Are you ‘He who is to come’ or are we to expect someone else?” When the men came to him they said, “John the Baptizer sends us to you with this question: ‘Are you “He who is to come” or do we look for someone else?’” (At that time he was curing many of their diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits; he also restored sight to many who were blind.) Jesus gave this response: “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard. The blind recover their sight, cripples walk, lepers are cured, the deaf hear, dead men are raised to life, and the poor have the good news preached to them. Blest is that man who finds no stumbling block in me.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
RESPONSE
120. A brief period of silence may be observed after the reading of the word of God.
The priest may then give a brief explanation of the reading, applying it to the needs of the sick person and those who are looking after him or her.
LITURGY OF ANOINTING
LITANY
121. The priest may adapt or shorten the litany according to the condition of the sick person.
My brothers and sisters, in our prayer of faith let us appeal to God for our brother/sister N.
Come and strengthen him/her through this holy anointing:
Lord, have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy.
Free him/her from all harm:
Lord, have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy.
Free him/her from sin and all temptation:
Lord, have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy.
Relieve the sufferings of all the sick [here present]:
Lord, have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy.
Assist all those dedicated to the care of the sick:
Lord, have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy.
Give life and health to our brother/sister N., on whom we lay our hands in your name:
Lord, have mercy.
R. Lord, have mercy.
LAYING ON OF HANDS
122. In silence, the priest lays his hands on the head of the sick person.
PRAYER OVER THE OIL
123. The priest says a prayer of thanksgiving over blessed oil or he may bless the oil himself (see Gen. Introduction no. 21) using one of the following:
[Note: the General Introduction n. 21 authorizes any priest to bless the oil of the sick “in case of true necessity”] Go to Blessing of Oil
THANKSGIVING OVER BLESSED OIL
If the oil is already blessed, the priest says the following prayer of thanksgiving over it.
Praise to you, God, the almighty Father.
You sent your Son to live among us
and bring us salvation.
R. Blessed be God who heals us in Christ.
Praise to you, God the only-begotten Son.
You humbled yourself to share in our humanity
and you heal our infirmities,
R. Blessed be God who heals us in Christ.
Praise to you God, the Holy Spirit, the Consoler.
Your unfailing power gives us strength
in our bodily weakness.
R. Blessed be God who heals us in Christ.
God of mercy,
ease the sufferings and comfort the weakness of your servant, N.,
whom the Church anoints with this holy oil.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
Or:
BLESSING OF OIL
When the priest blesses the oil during the rite, he uses the following blessing:
God of all consolation,
you chose and sent your Son to heal the world.
Graciously listen to our prayer of faith:
send the power of the Holy Spirit, the Consoler,
into this precious oil, this soothing ointment,
this rich gift, this fruit of the earth.
Bless this oil + and sanctify it for our use.
Make this oil a remedy for all who are anointed with it;
heal them in body, in soul, and in spirit,
and deliver them from every affliction.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
Go to the Anointing
[Latin:
Deus, totíus consolatiónis Pater,
qui per Fílium tuum infirmántium languóribus medéri voluísti,
oratióni fídei adésto propítius:
emítte, quæsumus, Spíritum tuum Sanctum Paráclitum
de cælis in hanc pinguédinem Ólei,
quam de víridi ligno prodúcere dignátus es
ad refectiónem córporis,
ut tua sancta benedictióne +
sit omni, qui hoc unguénto perúngitur,
tutámen córporis, ánimæ ac spíritus
ad evacuándos omnes dolóres, omnes infirmitátes,
omnem ægritúdinem.
Sit Óleum tuum sanctum, Dómine, nobis a te benédictum
in nómine Dómini nostri Iesu Christi.
Qui tecum vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum.
R. Amen.]
Skip to Anointing
Or:
Bless, + Lord, your gift of oil
and our brother/sister N.
that it may bring him/her relief
[Latin:
Bénedic, + Dómine, hanc Ólei creatúram
et ipsum étiam infírmum (ipsam étiam infírmam)
qui (quæ) hoc leniménto perúngitur.]
Go to the Anointing
Or:
Praise to you, God, the almighty Father.
You sent your Son to live among us
and bring us salvation.
R. Blessed be God who heals us in Christ.
Praise to you, God the only-begotten Son.
You humbled yourself to share in our humanity
and you heal our infirmities,
R. Blessed be God who heals us in Christ.
Praise to you God, the Holy Spirit, the Consoler.
Your unfailing power gives us strength
in our bodily weakness.
R. Blessed be God who heals us in Christ.
Almighty God,
come to our aid and sanctify this oil
which has been set apart for healing your people.
May the prayer of faith and the anointing with oil
free them from every affliction.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
Adésto, Domine, propítius,
et hoc óleum,
fidelium tuorum curándis angoribus praepáratum
tua benedictióne sanctífica,
ut, fidei oratióne intercedénte,
quotquot eo ungántur,
ab omni qua detinéntur infirmitáte liberéntur.
Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
R. Amen.]
ANOINTING
124. The priest anoints the sick person with blessed oil.
First, he anoints the forehead, saying
Through this holy anointing
may the Lord in his love and mercy
help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
Per istam sanctam Unctiónem
et suam piíssimam misericórdiam,
ádiuvet te Dóminus grátia Spíritus Sancti.
R. Amen.]
Then he anoints the hands, saying:
May the Lord who frees you from sin
save you and raise you up.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
ut a peccátis liberátum (liberátam)
te salvet atque propítius állevet.
R. Amen.]
The sacramental form is said only once, for the anointing of the forehead and hands, and is not repeated.
Depending upon the culture and traditions of the place, as well as the condition of the sick person, the priest may also anoint additional parts of the body, for example, the area of pain or injury. He does not repeat the sacramental form.
PRAYER AFTER ANOINTING
125. The priest says one of the following prayers:
General General In extreme or terminal illness In advanced age Before surgery For a child For a young person
Let us pray.
A. General
Father in heaven,
through this holy anointing
grant N. comfort in his/her suffering.
When he/she is afraid, give him/her courage,
when afflicted, give him/her patience,
when dejected, afford him/her hope,
and when alone, assure him/her of the support of your holy people.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
B. General
Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer,
by the grace of your Holy Spirit
cure the weakness of your servant N.
Heal his/her sickness and forgive his/her sins;
expel all afflictions of mind and body;
mercifully restore him/her to full health,
and enable him/her to resume his/her former duties,
for you are Lord for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
C. In extreme or terminal illness
Lord Jesus Christ,
you chose to share our human nature,
to redeem all people, and to heal the sick.
Look with compassion upon your servant N.,
whom we have anointed in your name
with this holy oil for the healing of his/her body and spirit.
Support him/her with your power,
comfort him/her with your protection,
and give him/her the strength to fight against evil.
Since you have given him/her
a share in your own passion,
help him/her to find hope in suffering,
for you are Lord for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
D. In advanced age
God of mercy,
look kindly on your servant who has grown weak
under the burden of years.
In this holy anointing
he/she asks for healing in body and soul.
Fill him/her with the strength of your Holy Spirit.
Keep him/her firm in faith
and serene in hope,
so that he/she may give us all an example of patience
and joyfully witness to the power of your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
E. Before surgery
God of compassion,
our human weakness lays claim to your strength.
We pray that through the skills of surgeons and nurses
your healing gifts may be granted to N.
May your servant respond to your healing will
and be reunited with us at your altar of praise.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
F. For a child
God our Father,
we have anointed your child N.
with the oil of healing and peace.
Caress him/her, shelter him/her,
and keep him/her in your tender care.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
R. Amen.
G. For a young person
God our healer,
in this time of sickness
you have come to bless N. with your grace.
Restore him/her to health and strength,
make him/her joyful in spirit,
and ready to embrace your will.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
126. The priest introduces the Lord’s Prayer in these or similar words:
A. Now let us offer together the prayer our Lord Jesus taught us:
B. And now let us pray with confidence as Christ our Lord commanded:
All say:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
127. If the sick person does not receive communion, the rite concludes with a blessing as below.
LITURGY OF HOLY COMMUNION
COMMUNION
The priest shows the Eucharistic Bread to those present saying:
A
This is the Lamb of God
who takes away the sins of the world.
Come to me all you that labor and are burdened
and I will refresh you.
B
These are God’s holy gifts to his holy people:
receive them with thanksgiving.
C
This is the Bread of Life:
taste and see that the Lord is good
The sick person and all who are to receive communion say:
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word and I shall be healed.
The Body of Christ [Latin: Corpus Christi]
The sick person answers: Amen.
Then the priest says: The Blood of Christ [Latin: Sanguis Christi]
The sick person answers: Amen, and receives communion.
Others present who wish to receive Communion then do so in the usual way. After the conclusion of the rite, the priest cleanses the vessel as usual.
SILENT PRAYER
128. Then a period of silence may be observed
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
129. The priest says a concluding prayer. One of the following may be used
Let us pray.
Pause for silent prayer, if this has not preceded
A
All-powerful God,
through the paschal mystery of Christ your Son
you have completed the work of our redemption.
May we, who in these sacramental signs
proclaim his death and resurrection,
grow in the experience of your saving power.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
B
All-powerful God
we thank you for the nourishment you give us
through your holy gift.
Pour out your Spirit upon us
and in the strength of this food from heaven
keep us single-minded in your service.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
R. Amen.
C
All-powerful and ever-living God
May the Body and Blood of Christ your Son
be for our brother/sister N.
a lasting remedy for body and soul.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
CONCLUDING RITE
BLESSING
130. The priest blesses the sick person and the others present, using one of the following blessings. If, however, any of the Blessed Sacrament remains, he may bless the sick person by making a sign of the cross with the blessed sacrament, in silence.
A
May the Lord be with you to protect you.
R. Amen.
May he guide you and give you strength.
R. Amen.
May he watch over you, keep you in his care, and bless you with his peace.
R. Amen.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
Dóminus Iesus Christus apud te sit ut te deféndat.
R. Amen.
Ante te sit ut te dedúcat, post te sit ut te múniat.
R. Amen.
Te respíciat, te consérvet atque te benedícat.
R. Amen.
Et vos omnes, qui hic simul adéstis,
benedícat omnípotens Deus,
Pater, et Fílius, + et Spíritus Sanctus. R. Amen.]
B
May God the Father bless you.
R. Amen.
May God the Son heal you.
R. Amen.
May God the Holy Spirit enlighten you.
R. Amen.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
C
May the God of all consolation
bless you in every way
and grant you hope all the days of your life.
R. Amen.
May God restore you to health
and grant you salvation.
R. Amen.
May God fill your heart with peace
and lead you to eternal life.
R. Amen.
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
Benedícat te Deus Pater.
R. Amen.
Sanet te Dei Fílius.
R. Amen.
Illúminet te Spíritus Sanctus.
R. Amen.
Corpus tuum custódiat et ánimam tuam salvet.
R. Amen.
Cor tuum collústret et te ad supérnam vitam perdúcat.
R. Amen.
Et vos omnes, qui hic simul adéstis,
benedícat omnípotens Deus,
Pater, et Fílius, + et Spíritus Sanctus.
R. Amen.]
D
May the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit,
come upon you and remain with you for ever.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
Benedíctio Dei omnipoténtis,
Patris + et Fílii et Spíritus Sancti,
descéndat super vos, et máneat semper.
R. Amen.]
