The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient. The Sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers after the anointing but becomes ill once again or, if during the same illness, the person's condition becomes more serious. A person should be anointed before surgery. Only bishops and priests may be ministers of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Please contact the church office, or one of the priests if you wish to be anointed.