Since 1875 when the Statue of Our Lady of Consolation was carried from Saint Nicholas in Frenchtown to Carey, miraculous healings have occurred. Countless pilgrims and parishioners have been healed through the intercession of our Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Consolation.
Entrusting ourselves to the divine power of our Blessed Mother’s Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, we offer three healing Masses throughout the year. These usually occur on the first Saturdays of February, May, and October. During Mass, the friars of Our Lady of Consolation will celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Those who are in need of healing from a serious illness of mind or body (see conditions below), may come forward to be anointed. At the end of Mass, all present are welcome to come foward to receive a blessing with the Relic of the True Cross.
Our final healing Mass of 2025 will take place on the patronal feast of the Franciscans: October 4. Come celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Francis of Assisi with the healing Mass at 11:00am and Full Shrine Devotions at 2:00pm.
About the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
The Lord himself showed great concern for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the sick and commanded his followers to do likewise. This is clear from the gospels, and above all from the existence of the sacrament of anointing, which he instituted and which is made known in the Letter of James. Those who are seriously ill need the special help of God’s grace in this time of anxiety, lest they be broken in spirit and, under the pressure of temptation perhaps weakened in their faith. This is why, through the sacrament of anointing, Christ strengthens the faithful who are afflicted by illness, providing them with the strongest means of support.
In the anointing of the sick, which includes the prayer of faith, faith itself is manifested. Above all this faith must be made actual both in the minister of the sacrament and, even more importantly, in the recipient. The sick person will be saved by personal faith and the faith of the Church, which looks back to the death and resurrection of Christ, the source of the sacrament’s power, and looks ahead to the future kingdom that is pledged in the sacraments.
Pastoral Care of the Sick, General Instruction, nos. 5 and 7.
Who Can Receive the Sacrament?
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick must not be trivialized. The first condition for reception is that the person must be a baptized Catholic. In general, the conditions for receiving anointing are for illnesses or conditions (body or mind) which are or can become life-threatening, those who are very advanced in age, or those who are about to undergo serious surgery. Common illnesses such as a simple infection or broken bones are not cause for anointing. Prayerfully discern with the following statements if you should receive anointing.
- Those who suffer from serious illness or conditions of body or mind
- Those who suffer from serious weakness because of old age
- Those who already have been anointed but suffer from a different illness or condition, or whose illness has gotten worse
- Those who are to undergo surgery for a serious illness or condition
- Children who are seriously ill and can understand and respond to the sacrament with faith