Through this Holy Anointing, may the Lord strengthen you with the grace of the Holy Spirit, may the Lord free you from sin and raise you up."
A sacrament is an outward sign of God's presence and action in our lives. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is the sign through which the Church prays for God's healing presence and action in the life of a person who is seriously ill or injured.

This sacrament is not primarily a sacrament to be administered at the time of death, but rather at the onset of serious illness or injury, when the prayers for mental, physical, emotional and spiritual healing and strength can be most effective and appropriate.

Anointing of the Sick may take place at church, at home, in a hospital or other health care facility, or another suitable place. It is best celebrated when the sick person is conscious and able to participate, and in the presence of family and friends.

If a loved one is in a hospital or another health care facility, ask the nurse to arrange for the hospital priest chaplain to come visit.
If you are planning to enter the hospital for a non-emergency procedure and would like to be anointed prior to going to the hospital, a parish priest would be glad to gather with you and your family after Mass for the anointing. Just ask.

If someone is confined to their home and would like a priest come to anoint them, contact the parish office at (516) 378-1315 or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and a priest will call back to arrange a visit.

If someone is dying, a priest can visit to offer last rites, which involve blessing the person, giving communion if they are able to receive this food for the journey to God, and praying the prayers to commend them to the Lord. This is different from the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick which is meant to ask for healing and strength for someone who is facing serious illness or the serious effects of old age.

Receiving Holy Communion for the first, or the hundred and first, time is like nothing else in the world. It's a wonder we can take it so calmly. We normally have trouble remaining recollected long enough to say Thank-You with simple graciousness. We salute stars and idols with wild enthusiasm, and we take Communion so calmly. We greet new cures for physical ills with bounding optimism, and we consider whether to communicate daily without even a quickened pulse. Let us live with appreciation for the length God gives to our lives, and more importantly for the faith that guides us to Heaven.