Diocese of Toronto St. Margaret home

Lay Anointing and Healing

anointing

God's plan for all of us is health and wholeness and the mainspring and heart of healing in the Church is prayer. At St. Margaret's we have a lively and dedicated prayer ministry. From our prayers we desire to see individuals receive more of our Father's love and help lighten their burdens.

At St. Margaret's our tradition is to have two healing services a month. Those in need of healing in mind or body have been invited to go to stations at the back of the church for prayer and to receive anointing. Our lay anointers have been selected upon the incumbent priest's recommendation, and have been trained to be able to anoint with consecrated oil. The program of training includes the biblical, theological, and historical background of anointing, and they are taught listening skills and the importance of discretion. Being anointed with oil is an outward sign of being sealed with the Holy Spirit, and we are given gifts necessary for that moment in our lives.

As our congregation has grown, we have seen a need for change. On Healing Sundays, there will be anointing at both the 8:30 and 10:00 services. At the 10:00 service, there will be two stations as usual at the back of the church. These two stations will be for those desiring anointing only. For those wanting prayer and anointing, a more private station will be in Father Simon's office.

The ministry of healing is indeed a prayer ministry, and as a Church family, we are all called to pray from time to time for healing. You are invited to pray during the Healing Service for those seeking wholeness. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon us and give us health and peace. Amen.

Margaret Paradis

Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the Church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:14.