ANOINTING OF THE SICK AT THE END OF LIFE

As Catholics, we have seven sacraments of the church. One of them is the anointing of the sick. We have all lost someone we love dearly, and I would like to share my story with you. My little sister Kelly came home from the hospital on a Sunday evening on hospice. I called our priest first thing the following morning for her to receive the anointing of the sick. She was alert, so we set it up for 4:00 p.m. that day so we could gather close friends and family. Kelly also wanted a cookout that evening after her visit with the priest. We all gathered around her, prayed with her, and did the responses with the priest. Kelly received Viaticum (communion) food for the journey, and an Apostolic Pardon. The next day by noon she was unresponsive and died the following day. I will never forget the beauty and awe of the sacrament, or the light in her eyes and the glow on her face as she received the sacrament and all of the graces, He sends with it. I share my story with hope that you do not wait too long to ask for the anointing of the sick for your loved ones so that they may have food for the journey and you can be part of this amazing, beautiful sacrament. Call often, call soon.