|
The Sacrament of the Sick
We believe that the Sacrament of the Sick is primarily intended for healing
and forgiveness, therefore the Sacrament of Sick is offered to all newly
admitted Catholic patients. Our long-term patients are anointed regularly for
their strengthening and spiritual encouragement.
“By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests and
whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord,
that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute
to the Good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and
death of Christ.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1499a,
p. 375).
If you are planning to be a patient at Little Company of Mary Hospital (through
a surgery, elective procedure or other medical care) we strongly encourage you
to receive the Sacrament of the Sick in your Parish so that your immediate church
family can be involved in your spiritual care.
“Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the
church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of
the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will
raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore,
confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be
healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.”
James 5:14-16, NAB
Holy Eucharist
For the Christian believer, Jesus Christ is source of our healing, both physically
and spiritually. The Eucharist is understood to be Christ in our world today. The
Catechism says: “The Eucharist is the heart and summit of the Church’s
life, for in it Christ associates his Church and all her members with his sacrifice
of praise and thanksgiving…” (#1407, p. 355). For this reason the
Eucharist is offered daily to our patients through visits by Eucharistic ministers
and their families and our staff during our daily
Mass.
Emergency Baptism
There may be some situations (i.e., neonatal or infant death) in which a person
or family desires the Sacrament of Baptism. Baptism is sacrament that is rightly
performed in the local Parish, but in unique situations emergency baptisms can be
provided to the unbaptized in danger of death. Information or questions about
Baptism can be addressed by your local Parish or call our office at
(310) 543-6948.
|
