20. Anointing of the Sick

The sacrament of the sick is sometimes called the sacrament of healing and it is administered with holy oil while the priest says a prayer for special grace and strength. Vatican II reaffirmed that the sacrament properly belongs to the sick who are in danger of death due to illness or advanced age. It must be mentioned, however, that in practice there are many occasions when it seems that the healing requested is realized not only in a spiritual way but in a physical improvement or recovery, too. The person should be in a state of grace. If the person is conscious, then he should be given the opportunity for confession first. However, if the person is incapable of confession, and in a state of serious sin, he receives pardon through the sacrament of anointing-- presuming that this is his desire and that there is sufficient sorrow for sin.

There are two effects of the sacrament:

1. By the prayer and anointing, the ill person is given courage and sometimes even physical health.

2. However, if God should consider it better not to restore health, it offers the infirm an assistance to patiently suffer and to die a holy death.

The sacrament is offered by the priest who first lays his hands on the head of the sick person. Then, anointing the forehead and hands, he prays: "Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. [Amen.] May the Lord who frees you from sin, save you and raise you up. [Amen.]"

THIS IS ONE OF THE USUAL THREE LAST SACRAMENTS: PENANCE, ANOINTING, AND VIATICUM (HOLY EUCHARIST).

There is no disputing the ancient origins of this sacrament. Indeed, in the introduction to the rite, the Scriptures are quoted: "Lord God, you have said to us through your apostle James: 'Are there people sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick persons, and the Lord will raise them up. If they have committed any sins, their sins will be forgiven them'" (James 5:14-15). [Intimation for this sacrament in Mark 6:13.]