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SACRAMENTS OF HEALING

-The theme , Sacraments of Healing”, is timely. First, all of us experience the need
for healing. Each is subject to sin, suffering, disease and death.

Penance
As sinners, we recognize both our human limitations and failures and also God’s
limitless love for us. God loves and forgives us, and the sacrament of reconciliation
makes this gift of forgiveness a reality in the life of the sinner. We are restored to a
proper relationship with God. Through the cleansing of our sins and guilt, we are once
again made whole and holy.

The sacrament of penance is one of two sacraments of healing. It is the sacrament that
brings spiritual healing for Catholics who have distanced themselves from God by
committing sins.

There are four elements involved:

the penitent’s contrition for sin


confession to a priest
absolution by the priest
satisfaction

Through penance, the faithful receive pardon through God's mercy for the sins they
have committed. At the same time, they are reconciled with the Church community. The
confession, or disclosure, of sins frees us and facilitates our reconciliation with others.

Parish children are usually introduced to the sacrament around the age of seven, or
second grade. There is a formal period of preparation which includes the support,
participation and example of their parents, who are actively involved in this process.
Communal Penance Services are held regularly during Advent and Lent. INDIVIDUAL
RECONCILIATION is available Saturdays at 4:00p.m. in the Eagan Chapel.
Reconciliation is also available by appointment; please call 262-549-0223.

Anointing of the Sick


Through the sacrament of anointing, Christ strengthens the faithful who are afflicted by
illness, providing them with the strongest means of support. Jesus showed great
concern for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the sick and commanded his followers to
do the same. The celebration of this sacrament is an opportunity for the deepening of
the faith of the community who are able to witness the faith and devotion of those being
anointed.

This is a ministry of comfort. Through Anointing, the sick are reminded that Christ and
the Church are in communion with their suffering. The Holy Spirit shares the blessings
of health, trust in God, and strength against temptation.
Anointing of the Sick is also a sacrament of healing. Anointing of the Sick was once
known as "extreme unction." The idea behind this sacrament is that we are all members
of the body of Christ. When one of us suffers, all of us suffer, and all of God's creation
suffers with us.

When one is struck down by disease or illness, the entire parish community is wounded.
Thus, when the need is felt, please contact the parish office to celebrate this sacrament.
Communal Anointing is celebrated at the first Saturday of each month after the 5 PM
Mass, in the Eagan Chapel.
Who Receives and Who Administers
In Danger of Death (1514-1515)
The sacrament is for those in danger of death (not just at the point of death) from
sickness or old age.

If the person recovers, he can be anointed again in case of another grave illness. If the
person becomes more serious, in the same illness, the sacrament can be received
again. Also, someone about to undergo an operation or the elderly whose frailty
becomes more pronounced can receive.

MINISTERS OF THE SACRAMENT

Only bishops and priests can administer the sacrament. Pastors should instruct the
faithful of the sacraments' importance. These should encourage the sick to call the
priest. The whole parish should surround the sick with prayer and attention.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE SACRAMENT OF HEALING

The different effects of the Sacraments of Healing, according to Chris Pritchard 2015,
'The Sacraments of Healing offer different effects to people. We begin with the
forgiveness of sin, spiritual healing, physical healing, the uniting between the sick being
brought closer to God and Christ and finally if you are ever struggling or having any
troubles Christ will give you a helping hand.'

THE EFFECTS OF THE CELEBRATION OF THIS SACRAMENT

A particular gift of the Holy Spirit. 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. This grace is a gift of the Holy Spirit, who
renews trust and faith in God and strengthens against the temptations of the evil one,
the temptation to discouragement and anguish in the face of death.135 This assistance
from the Lord by the power of his Spirit is meant to lead the sick person to healing of the
soul, but also of the body if such is God's will. Furthermore, "if he has committed sins,
he will be forgiven."
Union with the passion of Christ. By the grace of this sacrament the sick person
receives the strength and the gift of uniting himself more closely to Christ's Passion: in a
certain way he is consecrated to bear fruit by configuration to the Savior's redemptive
Passion. Suffering, a consequence of original sin, acquires a new meaning; it becomes
a participation in the saving work of Jesus.

An ecclesial grace. The sick who receive this sacrament, "by freely uniting themselves
to the passion and death of Christ," "contribute to the good of the People of God." By
celebrating this sacrament the Church, in the communion of saints, intercedes for the
benefit of the sick person, and he, for his part, though the grace of this sacrament,
contributes to the sanctification of the Church and to the good of all men for whom the
Church suffers and offers herself through Christ to God the Father.

A preparation for the final journey. If the sacrament of anointing of the sick is given to
all who suffer from serious illness and infirmity, even more rightly is it given to those at
the point of departing this life; so it is also called sacramentum exeuntium (the
sacrament of those departing). The Anointing of the Sick completes our conformity to
the death and Resurrection of Christ, just as Baptism began it. It completes the holy
anointings that mark the whole Christian life: that of Baptism which sealed the new life
in us, and that of Confirmation which strengthened us for the combat of this life. This
last anointing fortifies the end of our earthly life like a solid rampart for the final struggles
before entering the Father's house.

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