ANOINTING OF THE SICK
As in important part of ministry, priests are to attend to the needs of those who ask for the
Anointing of the Sick.
• If a priest is sick or considered to be a high-risk individual (e.g. above 65 years of age,
suffers from respiratory conditions, immunocompromised, etc.), he should request assistance
from another priest.
• Priests or others attending to the needs of the sick or homebound are to observe all proper
sanitary protocols. If in a hospital setting, check-in with proper medical personnel and
follow their directions before entering and upon leaving the room of the patient. For home
visits, this includes but may not be limited to handwashing before and after the visit,
wearing gloves, a facemask, and a gown to cover clothes.
• Priests must clean and refresh their oil stocks before visiting each sick person.
• Instead of using his hand, the priest may use an instrument, such as cotton-tipped swab or
cotton ball, to anoint the sick person (cf. CIC 1000, §2). The priest dips the cotton-tipped
swab or cotton ball in the oil to administer the Sacrament. Please take care of using only one
swab per person and dispose of the instrument appropriately (e.g. by burning or burying in
the ground).
• If desired by the person requesting the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, priests may
hear the confession of the sick person and grant individual absolution.
• If you find out that you have been exposed to the coronavirus, immediately contact your
health care provider. As a result, you may be required to quarantine yourself.