Communion for the Sick

If at any time, you or one of your family cannot attend Mass due to sickness we are only too happy to make arrangements for that person to receive Communion at home. Being sick should not be a barrier to receive communion, in fact it should be a greater reason for actually receiving the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

This could be done by a priest, or by one of the acolytes or extraordinary Ministers of Communion.

When Holy Communion is brought to the sick at home, it is good to prepare it by prayer and also by having a place prepared along side the sick person. A small crucifix and a candle on a white cloth should be sufficient. A glass of water for the sick person will help if he/she has trouble swallowing.

The sacrament of the sick, is the application by the church of the ministry of Jesus to those who were in need of healing. It is the prayer of the church community for the person who is seriously ill or is experiencing the weakness of the old age. Serious illness includes chronic pain, illness that confines one to bed or to the house, or illness that needs hospitalisation.

Because Sacraments are meant for the living, it is not appropriate to administer anointing of the sick after death has occurred. If a person has died prayers commending that person to God are the normal action of the Church, and it is good if family members are present for these prayers.

Sometimes people speak of the LAST RITES of the Catholic Church. What does this mean? The anointing of the sick is not the last rites of he Church. There is a Latin word “VIATICUM” which means “going with you” or “on the way with you” and refers to the Holy Communion received by the person who is near death. This is then the gift of Jesus himself accompanying the dying person in the journey form this life to the next. This, with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, is the “Last Rites” of the Church. Sometimes the anointing of the sick is also administered at the same time because it is about the inner healing as well as the physical healing. But it should not be forgotten that Holy Communion is also a healing Sacrament