The Anointing of the Sick

(Plain Text Version)

When we are in danger of death, we receive powerful help from God through the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

From the Letter of James

In a few words, the Apostle James tells us how the anointing of the sick is to be carried out and what to expect from it:

If one or you is ill he should send for the elders of the Church, and they must anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and pray over him.  The prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up again; and if he be in sin, they shall be forgiven him (James 5:14-15).

All believers should certainly pray for the sick and those in danger of death.  More importantly, a priest should be called to perform the Anointing of the Sick. 

When to Receive the Anointing

The Law of the Church directs: “the Anointing of the Sick can be administered to any member of the faithful who, having reached the age of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age” (Canon 1004).

We should not wait until death is imminent.  As soon as a life-threatening disease is discovered, it is a good to ask a priest for the Anointing of the Sick.  If the disease progresses, the sacrament can be repeated. 

If the seriousness of the illness is unclear, the Anointing should be given.  When vital signs have ended, the Anointing may still be celebrated, because the body and the soul may still be united.

How the Anointing is Done

The priest or bishop applies blessed oil to the forehead of the sick person, saying: “Through this holy anointing and His most loving mercy, may the Lord assist you by the grace of the Holy Spirit, so that freed from your sins, He may save you and in His goodness raise you up.”

What the Anointing of the Sick Does

If a person in the state of mortal sin has perfect or imperfect contrition, the Anointing of the Sick restores friendship with God.  The guilt and eternal punishment due to mortal sin is removed.

Depending on our openness to God, the guilt and punishment for other sins is removed.

The anointing gives grace to trust in God’s mercy and the courage to face whatever the future brings.

It gives us patience to endure suffering and to resist the temptations of the devil.

Physical healing is given if it will benefit our salvation.  

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