#135 The Anointing of the Sick with Father Patrick Fitzsimons
As a Catholic life coach, I’ve had so many conversations with women in midlife who are carrying heavy burdens—anxiety, regret, past wounds that seem to linger no matter how much they pray. Maybe you’ve felt this way too. You want to move forward, to heal, but something keeps holding you back. What if I told you there’s a sacrament that offers profound grace, peace, and healing—one that many of us have overlooked?
In this week's show, I talk with Father Patrick Fitzsimons about the Sacrament of the Sick. Father Patrick served as a chaplain for the VA hospital for many years even during Covid. He knows first hand how important the Sacrament of the Sick is for those who are suffering and for their family.
If you’re like most Catholics, you probably associate this sacrament with someone on their deathbed. I know I did for the longest time. But the truth is, this sacrament is so much more than that. It’s a gift of healing that the Church offers to anyone facing serious illness—whether it’s physical, emotional, or even spiritual. And for women in midlife, who have spent years taking care of everyone else, this could be exactly what your soul needs.
I’ve personally witnessed the incredible grace that flows through this sacrament. I’ve seen women find peace from the weight of past mistakes, relief from chronic pain, and renewed strength to face the challenges of life. In this episode, we’re going to unpack the beauty of this sacrament—where it comes from, how it works, and why it might be the missing piece in your healing journey.
Scripture tells us in James 5:14, “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” This isn’t just about physical sickness—it’s about any affliction that weighs you down. The Sacrament of the Sick is a tangible way to receive God’s mercy, to invite His healing into your life, and to step into the freedom He desires for you.
If you’ve been struggling with emotional wounds, chronic illness, or even a deep spiritual dryness, I invite you to open your heart to this sacrament. You don’t have to carry these burdens alone. God is offering you His healing touch. So let’s dive into this conversation together—I truly believe it could change the way you see this powerful sacrament forever.
Jennie Guinn is a Catholic speaker, Life Coach, Podcaster, Weekly Radio Show Host on Nashville Catholic Radio and Radio Maria USA, and the founder of Catholic Moms in the Middle. After 26 years of working in Catholic education, Jennie felt God calling her "to step out of the boat" to serve in a new way. In her new ministry, she equips and encourages middle-life women to encounter the love of the Father and to be transformed and healed by the power of the Holy Spirit so they can MAGNIFY Christ in their corner of the world.
