“Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful?
They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed
sins will be forgiven.”

(James 15:13-15)

 

Anointing of the Sick is the anointing with oil and laying on of hands accompanied by prayer. The Anointing of the Sick increases God’s life in a person who is physically or emotionally ill or who possesses frailties because of advanced age. Through this sacrament, a person receives the strength, peace and courage to face frailty or serious illness. This sacrament, as all of the other sacraments, stresses a communal bond with the other members of the worshiping community through their prayer and support.

If you yourself or someone you know, might wish to celebrate this sacrament and benefit from its effects, please call the Parish Office at 847-827-9220 or email  Liz Mika at e.mika@stbal.org so that the sick person may take a full, conscious part in its celebration.