The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects: the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church; the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age; the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the Sacrament of Penance; the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul; the preparation for passing over to eternal life. (CCC 1532)

Saint Joseph Church offers communal anointing once per year at a weekend Mass. Individual anointing can be arranged with one of the priests at any time. Please contact the Parish Office (574-234-3134) if you are going to be hospitalized or homebound for any length of time. We will arrange for you to receive the sacraments and a visit from one of our priests. Note that hospitals do not notify the parish if a parishioner is admitted.

The Anointing of the Sick is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as any one of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived. (CCC1514)

For more information on this sacrament from the USCCB website, click here.