Duration

30–45 minutes (the sacrament itself; the programme context may extend this)

When

Administered during organised pilgrimages; available by arrangement through the Sanctuary chaplaincy

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, administered by a priest with the laying on of hands and the anointing with blessed oil. At Lourdes, where healing is the central charism of the Sanctuary, this sacrament takes on a particular depth and resonance. It is available to any baptised Catholic who is seriously ill, elderly, facing surgery or in danger of death — and at Lourdes, administered in the context of hundreds of fellow pilgrims, the experience is universally described as one of the most powerful of the entire journey. Our pilgrimage programmes include the Anointing of the Sick as a sacramental option, administered by our chaplain in a group ceremony that is both intimate and communal.

What the Sacrament Is

The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of healing for the whole person — body, mind and spirit. The Church teaches that it unites the suffering person with the passion of Christ, strengthens them against temptation, gives them peace, and, where it is God's will, restores bodily health. It also provides the forgiveness of sins if the person is unable to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. At Lourdes, where Our Lady appeared with a message of prayer, penance and healing for the sick, this sacrament connects directly to the spiritual identity of the place. The priest anoints the forehead and hands of the sick person with the Oil of the Sick — blessed by the bishop at the Chrism Mass — while laying hands and praying for the person's healing. The rite is quiet, unhurried and deeply personal.

At Lourdes: A Group Ceremony

In organised pilgrimages at Lourdes, the Anointing of the Sick is typically offered as a group ceremony, with the chaplain administering the sacrament individually to each participant who wishes to receive it while the rest of the group prays together. The ceremony usually takes place in one of the Sanctuary chapels or in the open air, and is followed by quiet personal prayer time. The combination of the sacrament's spiritual grace with the physical surroundings of Lourdes — the Grotto nearby, the spring water, the presence of the sick from across the world — creates conditions that many recipients describe as uniquely graced. Pilgrims who have received this sacrament many times elsewhere report that the Lourdes experience has a different quality of depth and peace.

Who May Receive It

Any baptised Catholic who is seriously ill, chronically ill, elderly, facing a major surgery, or in a situation of significant physical or mental suffering may receive the Anointing of the Sick. The sacrament is not restricted to those who are immediately dying — this is a common misunderstanding. At Lourdes, where the sick are welcomed at the centre of every ceremony, the question of who is "sick enough" is treated with pastoral generosity. Our chaplain will speak privately with any pilgrim who is uncertain whether they should receive the sacrament. Non-Catholic Christians and those of other faith backgrounds can receive a pastoral blessing from the priest in the same ceremony.

Practical Tips

✓Inform your pilgrim leader in advance if you wish to receive the Anointing of the Sick — it allows the chaplain to prepare a personal intention
✓The sacrament may be received more than once if circumstances change or the condition worsens during the pilgrimage
✓Family members and carers attending with a sick pilgrim are not excluded from the ceremony — they participate in the prayer around the person being anointed
✓If you are uncertain whether you or a family member qualifies to receive the sacrament, speak with the chaplain or our pilgrim leader — the answer at Lourdes is almost always yes