Anointing of the Sick
(Extreme Unction)
“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and
let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the
Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will
raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (St.
Jas. 5:14-15).
Anointing of the Sick is the sacrament applied to those in danger of death
from bodily illness or physical infirmity. Its effects can be threefold: firstly,
the grace of God is bestowed for the recipient’s spiritual strength and
consolation; secondly, the forgiveness of the recipient’s sins; and thirdly, if
it is God’s will, the recipient may be restored to physical health.
The Church teaches solemnly that Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament
instituted by Christ.¹
It is a sensible sign having for its matter anointing
with olive oil. The bishop on Holy Thursday blesses this oil. The
sacrament’s form comprises the following words: “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.” Furthermore, it is an efficacious sign of grace for it gives the
recipient supernatural solace and strength, while at the same time forgiving
whatever sins he may have.
The minister of the sacrament is a priest or bishop. Formerly, the priest
conferred the sacrament by individually anointing the five sense organs
while pronouncing each time the prescribed words. It was always
recognized, however, that a single unction sufficed for the sacrament’s
validity. Today, the recipient’s forehead and hands may be anointed with
holy oil only once.
1
Council of Trent, Doctrine on the Sacrament of Extreme Unction, Canon 1,
November 25, 1551.
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