Sacrament of sick is a blessing

Recently, we, the retired priests who reside at the St. John Vianney Villa in Marrero, were anointed with the oil of the sick.

Having now been retired for 10 years, it has been noticeable to me how people can be afraid of what has been incorrectly termed as “The Last Rites.” The use of that term has frightened people so much that they don’t easily ask for this anointing of the sick, probably because the threat of death seems to be so close behind.

Also, some have the mistaken impression that the anointing of the sick “wears out over time,” so they don’t ask for the sacrament when they are sick. With over 65 years of service in the priesthood, I’ve seen how consoling it is for people to be anointed and, in most cases, to receive absolution through the sacrament of penance. The church provides these sacraments for the consolation of the sick and the elderly.

I hope we would resolve to make this a point of emphasis: This sacrament should be referred to as the sacrament of the sick or the anointing of the sick – not as “the last rites.” This is true because in many cases, this is not the last time we will be dealing with illness. Death sometimes occurs much later.

The church has a great concern in bringing God’s grace to our loved ones and in helping them be at peace and feel the embrace of God as we live our lives – in sickness and in health – as long as our dear Lord wills.

Msgr. Allen J. Roy is the retired former pastor of Holy Spirit Church in Algiers.