Instituted by Christ
The Anointing of the Sick was instituted by Christ as a true sacrament of the New Testament. In the Bible St. James the Apostle said, “Is there anyone sick among you? He should ask for the presbyters of the Church. They in turn are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. This prayer uttered in faith will reclaim the one who is ill, and the Lord will restore him to health. If he has committed any sins, forgiveness will be his. (Jas.5:14-15)
To Receive the Sacrament of the Sick Worthily
It is customary to receive the sacrament of Penance before receiving the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. We must be in the state of grace to receive the sacrament worthily. The priest should be called, even if one is apparently dead, because the anointing and absolution can be given for some time after apparent death. This is encouraged because it is not known when the soul leaves the body. It is presumed that the person who died had the intention to receive the sacrament had he been conscious.
What is necessary for the Sacrament of the Sick?
The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is made up of anointing and words. The oil that is used is blessed by the bishop on Holy Thursday, and it is called the Oil of the Sick. The anointing symbolizes healing, primarily spiritual healing, but also physical healing. The words of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick signify that we are asking the Lord for His strength, His healing, His grace.
What are the Effects of the Sacrament?
Through this sacrament, Christ fortifies the sick person’s soul with sanctifying grace and with the strength to resist temptations, for often the temptations are strongest when one is physically weak. The sick person receives comfort to bear his or her sufferings bravely, and is given courage and consolation in the face of death. The sacrament cleanses the soul of venial sin, and removes mortal sin if the person is unconscious. The sacrament remits at least some of the temporal punishment due to sin. Sometimes the sacrament restores physical health, if that would be helpful to their salvation.
A Priest or a Bishop is the Minister of this Sacrament
To take care of the sick the priest may go to a person’s home, or to a hospital. He anoints the sick person on the forehead and hands as he says once “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in His love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin, save you, and raise you up.”
When is it Proper to receive this Sacrament?
It is a good practice to ask the priest to visit the sick members of the family in case of serious illness, even though there is no danger of death. The elderly who are in a weakened condition are also encouraged by the Church to receive the anointing even though no dangerous illness is present. The Anointing of the Sick is not just for those on the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for one to receive this sacrament has already arrived.
This Sacrament can be received more than once.
If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can in the case of another grave illness receive this sacrament again. If, during the same illness, the person’s condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated. It is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to an operation; It is also proper for the elderly to receive this sacrament as their frailty becomes more pronounced.
The “Last Sacraments”
These refer to those received by a person who is gravely ill. They include Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Eucharist. Holy Eucharist is also called Viaticum, which means food for the journey, when the person is about to die. There is also a special blessing called the Apostolic Blessing given at that time. Through this blessing the Church imparts to one dying a plenary indulgence.
