Lent 2026
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The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is one of the most profound gifts the Church offers her children, yet today, it is often overlooked or misunderstood. This sacrament brings Christ's healing grace and strength at any point of serious illness or danger, preparing the soul and body for whatever God's will may be. But at the end of life, it is a tremendous gift, first and foremost for the soul entering eternity, but also for the loved ones left behind.
Find out more about this sacrament here:
Perhaps surprisingly, we can find a reminder of the importance of this sacrament from legendary baseball icon Babe Ruth.
Ruth offers us a striking reminder of the wisdom in always being ready to receive this sacrament. During his early years with the Boston Red Sox (1914–1918), the "Sultan of Swat" carried in his wallet a simple Catholic identification card. It clearly stated his faith and requested that, in case of emergency, a priest be called immediately.
This small but deliberate act reflected a deep awareness: in moments of sudden accident or grave illness, what matters most is our state of grace and access to the sacraments.
Ruth's foresight echoes the Church's teaching that the Anointing of the Sick is not merely a "last rite" but a source of spiritual fortitude whenever serious sickness strikes. As the Catechism reminds us, it unites the sick person more closely to Christ's Passion, forgives sins if needed, and can even bring physical healing when it accords with God's plan.
Catechism of the Catholic Church on Anointing of the Sick
- 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.
Priests on call
Sadly, misconceptions about the sacrament persist. Some assume priests are no longer readily available for such calls, yet many dioceses, religious orders, and dedicated programs ensure that spiritual assistance is never far away.
Check with your diocese or parish if you do not know how to reach your priest in an emergency!
Hospital chaplains serve faithfully in this role, though emergency responders may hesitate to summon a priest if they do not know the patient's faith. A simple Catholic card, carried alongside one's driver's license or other ID, can make all the difference. In an instant when speech fails, it speaks for the soul.
Such cards are easy to obtain or create — many include the Act of Contrition on the reverse — and they serve as a quiet witness to faith amid crisis.
The future Pope Francis' diocese
This readiness finds beautiful expression in organized efforts like the Priestly Emergency Service (Servicio Sacerdotal de Urgencia) in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Founded nearly 75 years ago in Córdoba, this initiative mobilizes priests and laity around the clock to respond to calls for sacraments in urgent situations. It has aided over 64,000 people, along with their families and even emergency workers. A young Jesuit named Jorge Mario Bergoglio — later to become Pope Francis — once served in this very program, bringing Christ's mercy to those in desperate need.
In 1987, during a visit to Córdoba, St. John Paul II praised the service warmly:
“I know that, as the fruit of an initiative born in this city of Cordoba, the first Priestly Emergency Service was created. Through it, every night priests and laity, in vigilant waiting, mobilize to respond to the call of Christ through his sick. I also know that this beautiful example has multiplied in various dioceses of Argentina. It gives me great joy, and I encourage you to continue in this apostolic effort through which the solicitude of the Church, who watches day and night over her neediest children, is made visible.”
At the ready
As spring training approaches and thoughts turn to baseball's timeless rhythms, let us recall Babe Ruth — not just as the home-run king, but as a man who, despite his human failings, never lost sight of what truly endures. He knew his soul's welfare mattered more than any record or renown.
In his final illness in 1948, he received the sacraments, including the Anointing of the Sick, and passed to eternal life fortified by the Church's embrace.
May his example inspire us: Carry that card, cultivate that readiness, and trust in the healing power of Christ's sacrament. In every unforeseen trial, we too can be prepared to meet the Lord with grace upon grace.
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