Michael Brooks
The Anointing of the Sick is one of the seven sacraments recognized by the Catholic Church. It is a form of religious anointing for the benefit of a sick person, practiced by many Christian churches and denominations. The sacrament is intended to bring spiritual and physical strength to the recipient during an illness, especially near the time of death. It is typically administered to a Catholic who has reached the age of reason and is in danger due to sickness or old age. However, a non-Catholic can receive the anointing of the sick in special situations, such as when they are baptized and cannot approach a minister of their own community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can receive the sacrament? | A Catholic who has reached the age of reason and is in danger due to sickness or old age. |
| Who can administer the sacrament? | Only a validly ordained priest or bishop may administer the sacrament. |
| When can it be administered? | When a Catholic begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age. It can be administered multiple times in cases of old age or chronic illness. |
| Can it be administered to a non-Catholic? | Yes, in special situations, the Church allows baptized non-Catholic Christians to receive the sacrament. |
| Can it be administered to the dead? | If a priest is doubtful that a person is dead, he can confer the sacrament of anointing conditionally. |
| What is the purpose of the sacrament? | To bring spiritual and physical strength during an illness, unite the sick person to the passion of Christ, and prepare them for passing over to eternal life. |
| What are the effects of the sacrament? | It gives grace for the state of sickness, renews confidence and faith in God, strengthens against temptations to discouragement and despair, and forgives sins. |
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Anointing of the Sick
The Anointing of the Sick is a Catholic sacrament that is administered to a Catholic who has "reached the age of reason" and is in danger due to sickness or old age. Anointing of the Sick is not just for those at the point of death, but it is one of the last sacraments one will receive. It is also known as Extreme Unction, which means "final anointing", and this name implies that it is for those near death. The Second Vatican Council called for the name to be changed to Anointing of the Sick to reflect that it is not just for those at the point of death.
The sacrament is administered by a bishop or priest, who uses oleum infirmorum ('oil of the sick'), a blessed olive oil or other pure plant oil, to anoint the patient's forehead and perhaps other parts of the body while reciting certain prayers. The Anointing of the Sick can be administered multiple times if a new illness develops or the first illness relapses or worsens. It can also be given more than once in cases of old age or chronic illness. The Anointing of the Sick can be administered at home, in a hospital or care institution, or in a church.
The Anointing of the Sick gives grace for the state of sickness, and through the sacrament, a gift of the Holy Spirit is given. This gift renews confidence and faith in God and strengthens against temptations to discouragement, despair and anguish at the thought of death. It also gives peace, courage, and forgiveness of sins if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of penance. The primary effect of the sacrament is spiritual healing, but physical healing is also hoped for.
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 be anointed?
The Anointing of the Sick is a Catholic sacrament that can be administered to any Catholic who has reached the age of reason and is in danger due to sickness, old age, or before undergoing serious medical procedures. It is not exclusive to those at the point of death. The sacrament can be performed at home, in a hospital, a care institution, or in a church. It is usually administered by a bishop or priest, who uses oleum infirmorum ('oil of the sick'), an olive oil or another pure plant oil blessed by a bishop, to anoint the patient's forehead and perhaps other parts of the body while reciting certain prayers.
The Anointing of the Sick is also referred to as Extreme Unction, which implies that it is only for those near death. However, this is not the case, and the official name was changed to Anointing of the Sick to reflect the Church's teaching that the sacrament is for those who are dangerously ill. 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."
In the Roman Rite Church, the reception of this sacrament is restricted to those whose condition is grave due to age or infirmity. However, they do not have to be dying, but their condition should be serious. In the Byzantine Rite of the Catholic Church, everyone is allowed to receive this sacrament once a year on Holy Wednesday of Holy Week.
The Anointing of the Sick is intended to give comfort, peace, courage, and, if the sick person is unable to make a confession, forgiveness of sins. It is believed that the sacrament gives grace to those who are sick, uniting them with the passion of Christ for their own good and that of the Church. It strengthens them, giving them the courage to endure their illness or old age in a Christian manner.
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Who can administer anointing?
In the Catholic Church, the anointing of the sick is a sacrament that is administered to a Catholic who has reached the age of reason and is in danger due to sickness, injury, or old age. It is not reserved only for those at the point of death. The anointing of the sick is also known as Extreme Unction and is one of the last rites, which also include the sacraments of Penance and Viaticum (Holy Communion administered to the dying).
The anointing of the sick is administered by a bishop or priest, using oleum infirmorum ('oil of the sick'), which is usually olive oil or another pure plant oil blessed by a bishop. The priest or bishop anoints the patient's forehead and perhaps other parts of the body while reciting certain prayers.
The effects of the sacrament of the anointing of the sick include uniting the sick person with the passion of Christ, strengthening their faith and giving them peace and courage, absolvering them of their sins, restoring their health, and preparing them for eternal life. Because the sacrament involves the forgiveness of sins, only a validly ordained priest or bishop may administer it.
In certain circumstances, such as when a person is in danger of death, the Catholic Church allows baptized non-Catholic Christians to receive the anointing of the sick. In these cases, the person must ask for the sacrament, and a priest may administer it if he explains things clearly and has pastoral skills and grace.
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When is anointing administered?
In the Catholic Church, the anointing of the sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death. It is one of the last sacraments one will receive and is not just for those at the point of death. Anointing can be given to someone who is alive, even during a brief period after they have been declared clinically dead. The sacrament is administered by a bishop or priest, who uses the oleum infirmorum ('oil of the sick'), an olive oil or another pure plant oil blessed by a bishop, to anoint the patient's forehead and perhaps other parts of the body while reciting certain prayers. It can be administered at home, in a hospital or care institution, or in a church. It gives comfort, peace, courage, and, if the sick person is unable to make a confession, even forgiveness of sins. 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 also known as Extreme Unction. It is administered to a Catholic "who, having reached the age of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age", except for those who "persevere obstinately in manifest grave sin". The proximate danger of death is not required, but only the onset of a medical condition of serious illness or injury or simply old age. In the words of the Catechism, "It is not a sacrament for those only who are at 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 him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived" (CCC 1514). If a new illness develops or the first illness relapses or worsens, the patient may receive the sacrament again. A priest may, on the basis of his pastoral judgment, administer the sacrament numerous times in cases of old age or chronic illness.
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What is the significance of anointing?
The Anointing of the Sick is one of the seven sacraments recognized by the Catholic Church. It is a form of religious anointing for the benefit of a sick person, practised by many Christian churches and denominations. It is also known as Extreme Unction, which translates to 'final anointing'. This name was used from the late 12th century until 1972, after which the Roman Catholic Church adopted the name "Anointing of the Sick".
The Anointing of the Sick is intended to bring spiritual and physical strength to the recipient during an illness, especially near the time of death. It is usually one of the last sacraments a person will receive. The sacrament is also meant to unite the sick person with the passion of Christ, for their own good and that of the Church. It is administered by anointing the sick with oil, which is blessed specifically for this purpose.
The Anointing of the Sick is reserved for those who have reached the age of reason and are in danger due to sickness or old age. It can be administered multiple times if a new illness develops or the first illness relapses or worsens. The sacrament can also be given to a person who has been declared clinically dead, but only if there is no physical indication of death, such as rigor mortis, and the priest has reasonable doubt about the person's death.
The Anointing of the Sick is significant because it is believed to impart several graces and gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit. It brings peace, prevents the loss of Christian hope, and strengthens against temptations to discouragement, despair, and anguish at the thought of death. The sacrament also absolve the recipient of any sins not previously absolved through the Sacrament of Penance.
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Frequently asked questions
The sacrament of anointing is intended for members of the Catholic Church who are sick or in old age. It can also be administered to non-Catholic Christians in special circumstances.
The purpose of anointing is to bring spiritual and physical strength to the recipient during an illness, especially near the time of death. It is also meant to unite the sick person with the passion of Christ and to absolve them of their sins.
Only ordained priests or bishops may administer the sacrament of anointing.
