Anointing of the Sick COVID-19 Protocols
From the SACRAMENTS AND LITURGICAL PROTOCOLS, Issued by the Archdiocese of Agana. Updated May 6, 2020 at 12:40 PM
For Confirmed or Suspected COVID+ Persons
If person is CONFIRMED OR SUSPECTED COVID+ and is self-isolating at home or hospitalized
- Contact the Vicar for Clergy for instructions.
All other cases
BEFORE ENTERING ANY FACILITY (or room, home)
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn – Mask and double gloves
STANDING 6 FEET FROM THE PATIENT
- Add a small amount of oil onto a sterile cotton pad (cf. can. 1000 §2).
- CLOSE THE HOLY OIL BOTTLE FIRST, place in your pocket, then begin the Rite of Anointing. Consider using a small bottle with a small opening (ex. small holy water bottle)
- Omit the laying on of hands
- Anoint the individual with the sterile cotton pad only. (return to 6ft distance after)
- Communion may be given as Viaticum
- In the event a sterile cotton pad is not available, the outer glove may be used.
- After the anointing, remove the outer glove while holding the cotton pad used to anoint (and the disposal ritual), so that the glove is turned inside-out to become a “trash bag” for the cotton pad and ritual. Peel off the outer glove of the other hand so that it comes off inside out (with the other glove inside it).
- These used gloves must be place in a sealed disposable bag along with the sterile cotton pad containing the sacred oil. This sealed disposable bag will be placed in a second sealed disposable bag for additional protection and precaution. These MUST be BURNED when you return to your rectory.
- The priest then concludes the Rite of Anointing as usual.