Rachel Evans
Extreme Unction, also known as the Anointing of the Sick, is a Catholic sacrament that is administered to a Catholic who is seriously ill or in danger of death. The sacrament is performed by a priest who anoints the sick person with oil, usually olive oil, and prays over them. The practice is intended to provide spiritual and physical strength and comfort to the recipient and has been recognized as a sacrament by the Catholic Church since the Council of Trent in the 16th century. Despite its name, Extreme Unction is not only for those at the point of death, and the Second Vatican Council called for the name to be changed to anointing of the sick to reflect this.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Anointing of the Sick, Extreme Unction, Final Anointing |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Type | Sacrament |
| Who can receive it? | Catholic members of the Church who are in danger of death from sickness or old age |
| Who cannot receive it? | Unbaptized persons, non-members of the Church, children who have not attained the age of reason |
| Who administers it? | Priest, Bishop |
| What is used? | Oil, Cotton, Small piece of bread |
| When is it administered? | When the person is seriously ill or injured, before serious surgery, when unconscious |
| Effects | Comfort, peace, courage, forgiveness of sins, spiritual and physical strength |
| What does it prepare for? | Heaven, death |
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Anointing of the Sick
The Anointing of the Sick is meant to bring spiritual and physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death. It conveys several graces and imparts gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement, and temptation, and conveys peace. The Catechism explains, "This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by Mark, but is recommended to the faithful and promulgated by James the apostle and brother of the Lord" (CCC 1511; Mark 6:13; Jas. 5:14-15).
The Anointing of the Sick is not just for those at the point of death. In fact, the Second Vatican Council called for the name "Extreme Unction" to be replaced by "Anointing of the Sick" to reflect this. The sacrament is meant to be conferred on those who are "'dangerously ill' and can be administered multiple times if a new illness develops or the first illness relapses or worsens.
The chief Biblical text concerning the Anointing of the Sick is James 5:14-15: "Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man. And the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him."
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Extreme Unction meaning
Extreme Unction, also known as the Anointing of the Sick, is a Catholic sacrament. It is administered to a Catholic who has reached the age of reason and is in danger due to sickness, old age, or injury. The sacrament is not only for those at the point of death, but for anyone whose life is in danger.
The sacrament is performed by a priest or bishop, who anoints the patient's forehead and perhaps other parts of the body with oil, usually olive oil, while reciting prayers. The oil is blessed by a bishop and is known as oleum infirmorum ('oil of the sick'). In the Roman Rite of the Latin Church, the priest anoints the person's forehead and hands with oil, usually tracing the form of a cross. The formula is as follows:
> 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.
The effects of Extreme Unction are to comfort the sick person, strengthen them against temptations, and give them peace and courage. If the person is unable to make a confession, the sacrament can also provide forgiveness of sins.
The term "Extreme Unction" originated towards the end of the twelfth century and became common in Western Christianity, but never in Eastern Christianity. The word "extreme" indicated that it was either the last of the sacramental unctions or that it was administered to those near death. The Second Vatican Council called for the name to be changed to "'anointing of the sick' to reflect that the sacrament is not only for those at the point of death.
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Who can administer the sacrament?
Extreme Unction, also known as the Anointing of the Sick, is a Catholic sacrament that is administered to a Catholic who is dangerously ill or injured, or whose advanced age puts them in danger. It is not meant to be administered only to those at the point of death, but it is often postponed until someone is near dying.
The sacrament is typically administered by a priest or bishop, who uses oleum infirmorum ('oil of the sick') to anoint the patient's forehead and perhaps other parts of the body while reciting certain prayers. The oil is usually olive oil or another pure plant oil blessed by a bishop. In the Roman Rite of the Latin Church, the priest anoints the sick person's forehead and hands with oil, usually tracing the form of a cross. The priest may also anoint other parts of the body in accordance with local culture and traditions and the needs of the sick person.
In the past, it was common for several priests to take part in the administration of the sacrament. While this is not necessary for the validity of the sacrament, it remains the custom in the Greek Church.
The chief Biblical text concerning the Anointing of the Sick is James 5:14–15: "Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man. And the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him."
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Who can receive the sacrament?
In the Catholic Church, the sacrament of Extreme Unction, also known as the Anointing of the Sick, can be received by any Catholic who has reached the age of reason and is in danger due to sickness, injury, or old age. This sacrament is not only for those at the point of death, but it is also for those facing serious illness or injury. It is meant to give comfort, peace, courage, and forgiveness of sins to the recipient.
The sacrament is typically administered by a priest, who anoints the person's forehead and hands with holy oil, also known as oleum infirmorum or chrism, while reciting prayers. The oil is usually olive oil or another pure plant oil blessed by a bishop. The priest may also anoint other parts of the body in accordance with local culture, traditions, and the needs of the person being anointed.
While the sacrament is typically received by those who are physically ill or injured, it can also be received by those facing spiritual struggles. It is believed to provide strength and comfort to the recipient and to unite their suffering with that of Christ.
It is important to note that the sacrament is not given to those who persevere obstinately in manifest grave sin or those who do not have the use of reason, such as young children who are incapable of committing sin. Additionally, it is not meant for those facing imminent death from external causes, such as a death sentence.
The Anointing of the Sick can be received multiple times throughout a person's life, especially in cases of chronic illness or old age, as long as the person has the right dispositions, including resignation to God's will, a state of grace or contrition for sins, and a desire to receive the sacrament.
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History of the sacrament
The history of the sacrament of Extreme Unction, or the Anointing of the Sick, in the Catholic Church goes back to the early Middle Ages. It was a customary practice in many ancient civilizations, including the ancient Greeks and early Jewish communities. The use of oil for healing purposes is also referred to in the writings of Hippocrates.
From the early Middle Ages until after the Second Vatican Council, the sacrament was administered within the Latin Church only when death was approaching. This gave rise to the name "Extreme Unction", meaning "final anointing". The sacrament was believed to give spiritual aid and comfort, and perfect spiritual health, including the remission of sins, and, if God willed it, the restoration of bodily health.
In the 15th century, the Armenian Church abstained from conducting the sacrament to resist the influence of the Catholic Church. They deemed the laying on of hands and the administration of the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion sufficient.
In the 16th century, the Protestant reformer Luther denied the sacramentality of Extreme Unction, classing it as a human or ecclesiastical institution. Calvin also ridiculed the sacrament, describing it as a piece of "histrionic hypocrisy".
In 1551, the Council of Trent decreed in its Doctrine on the Sacrament of Extreme Unction that "This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament".
In 1972, the Roman Rite Anointing of the Sick was revised, placing greater stress on the sacrament's aspect of healing, both spiritual and physical. The Roman Catholic Church has sought to clarify that the sacrament is not just for those near death but can be used repeatedly during the course of an ongoing illness and before serious surgery.
In summary, the sacrament of Extreme Unction, or the Anointing of the Sick, has a long history in the Catholic Church, dating back to the early Middle Ages. It has undergone various changes and interpretations over the centuries, with different Christian denominations holding differing views on its sacramentality.
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