Each year, at some point during the month of November, the infirm of the community, those with physical ailments of various sorts, are gathered together, prayed over, have the priests of the community lay hands on them, and are anointed with a special oil by the abbot.

Fortunately, many of those being anointed are still able to be active in the community. The ceremony allows the whole community to share in the difficulties of all its members.