ANOINTING OF THE SICK

What is Anointing of the sick?

The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament in the Roman Catholic Church and some other
Christian denominations. It is also sometimes referred to as the Sacrament of the Sick or
Extreme Unction.

Matter - The appropriate matter for the sacrament is olive oil, or in case of necessity, vegetable
oil. This oil should be blessed by the bishop or by a priest with this faculty. The anointing is done
on the forehead and the hands.

Form - “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. Amen.”

What are the importance of anointing of the sick?

The Anointing of the Sick is one of the seven sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church and is
a significant religious ritual in many Christian traditions. Its importance lies in providing spiritual
and physical support to individuals who are seriously ill or approaching the end of their life.

Spiritual Healing - The primary purpose of this sacrament is to offer spiritual healing and
strength to those who are suffering from serious illness.

Forgiveness of Sins - This is especially important for individuals who may not be able to confess
their sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation due to their physical condition.

Preparation for the Afterlife - For those who are near death, the sacrament helps prepare the
soul for the journey into the afterlife. It offers the person hope and the assurance of God's
presence in their time of need.

Minister of the sacrament

- one who is called to sum up and complete the care and concern of the Christian
community for those who are sick or in their declining years.
- He represents the care and concern of Christ extended through the ages in the Church.
- He must be a human being who can respond with faith and feeling to the condition of
sickness and age
- Bishops and priests are the proper ministers of the anointing of the sick

Ordinary Minister

The ordinary minister is the parish priest, a priest chaplain, or the superior of a clerical religious
institute or society of apostolic life. Other priests may confer the anointing with the consent of
the above. In case of necessity, any priest may anoint, but he should later inform the pastor or
chaplain
 - Celebrating the Sacrament
- Confession and Absolution
- Prayer and Blessings

Extraordinary Minister

- Visitation
- Anointing

What does anointing of the sick do?

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Anointing of the Sick offers sanctifying grace to the faithful and specific sacramental graces.

> a more intimate union with Christ in his redemptive Passion, for the good of the recipient and
for the good of the whole Church (cf. CCC, 1521, 1522, 1532)

> the peace and strength to overcome the difficulties and sufferings of a serious illness or the
frailty of old age (cf. CCC, 1520, 1532)

> the healing of the wounds of sin and the forgiveness of all venial sins, as well as mortal sins
when the person is repentant but unable to receive the sacrament of Penance (cf. CCC, 1520);

>the recovery of physical health if such is God’s will (cf. Council of Florence: DZ 1325, CCC,
1520);

> preparation for the passage to eternal life. (cf. Heb 2:15)” (CCC, 1520)

Catechism for Filipino Catholics

Vatican II, revised and renewed the Rite of the sacrament of Anointing

>Since the Sacrament is for baptized Christians who are sick, not only “for those who are at the
point of death,” its name is changed from “Extreme Unction” to “Anointing of the Sick.”

>Vatican II teaches it is “the whole Church” that “commends those who are ill to the suffering
and glorified Lord”

>Vatican II urges the sick to “contribute to the good of the whole People of God by freely uniting
themselves to the Passion and Death of Christ”

>Christ’s victory over sickness and death is not conditional but absolute.
Celebrating the Sacrament does two actions:

- It proclaims Christ’s victory to the sick person as a truth of Faith

- Elicits the sick person’s response of Faith in the power of the Risen Christ “who will give
a new form to this lowly body of ours and remake it according to the pattern of his
glorified body”

Code of Canon Law

Canon 1003 - "Every priest, but only a priest, is the minister of the sacrament of anointing the
sick."

Canon 1004 §1 - "The anointing of the sick can be administered to a member of the faithful
who, having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age."

Canon 1004 §2 - "This sacrament can be repeated if the sick person, having recovered, again
becomes seriously ill or if the condition becomes more serious."

Canon 1007 - "The anointing of the sick is not to be conferred upon those who obstinately
persist in a manifestly grave sin."

Papal Encyclicals

Sacramentum Unctionis Infirmorum (On the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick) -
issued by Pope Paul VI in 1972. provides guidance on the anointing of the sick, emphasizing its
role in providing spiritual and physical healing to the sick and dying.

Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) - issued by Pope John Paul II in 1995 discusses the
sanctity of human life and how the anointing of the sick relates to issues of life, death, and the
culture of life.

Misericordia et Misera (Mercy and Misery) - issued by Pope Francis in 2016 discusses the
forgiveness of sins and the sacrament of reconciliation. While it primarily focuses on
reconciliation, it touches on the anointing of the sick in the context of God's mercy and
forgiveness.

What does anoiting of the sick symbolizes?

- To “anoint” in a theological context means to smear or pour oil over a person or object to
set it apart for divine use.
- The practice of the Anointing of the Sick is based primarily on James 5:14-15, which
states: Is anyone 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 one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins,
he will be forgiven.
 - The idea behind this sacrament is that we are all members of the body of Christ. When
one of us suffers, all of us suffer, and all of God’s creation suffers with us.

Common place anointings with oil:

In Biblical times it was traditional to anoint people or objects for secular reasons.

- For example, Jews showed hospitality to their visitors by anointing the visitor’s head with
oil (Luke 7:46; Psalm 23:5).
- Jews anointed their own head and bodies with oil to smooth and refresh their hair and
skin (Ruth 3:3; Psalms 104:15).

Pastoral Practices

- In ‘olden days’, people waited until the person was near death before they called the
priest.
- Today it is preferred that the priest be called at the beginning of a serious illness and not
at the end.

Pastoral Practices in the Philippines

- The anointing of the sick is typically celebrated in a communal setting, such as at a

parish Mass or in a hospital chapel. However, it can also be celebrated privately in the
home or in the hospital room of the sick person.
- The anointing of the sick is preceded by a prayer service, in which the priest or deacon
prays for the sick person and their family.
- The anointing of the sick is followed by a blessing of the sick person and their family.

"The blessed oil is a symbol of God's healing grace."

Three main part of the anoiting of the sick

- First, the prayer of faith by which the community asks for God's help for the sick
- Second, the laying on of hands indicating the person is the recipient of the prayer of faith
- Third, the anointing with oil on the forehead and hands signifying healing, strengthening
and the presence of God.

Catholic theologians view about the sacrament

Anointing the sick is a practice that is done to help people in need, especially those who are
close to death, gain both spiritual and physical strength while they are ill. It's probably one of the
final sacraments a person will get. A sacrament is an external symbol that Jesus Christ
instituted to bestow internal grace. To put it more simply, it is a ritual that is carried out in order
to use the power of the Holy Spirit to communicate God's mercy to the recipient.
Compare and Contrast Catholic and Christian View

Catholic View of the Anointing of the Sick

Sacrament: In the Catholic tradition, the anointing of the sick is considered one of the seven
sacraments. It is administered to those who are seriously ill, physically or mentally, to provide
spiritual healing, comfort, and strength. It is often administered by a priest.

Ritual: The Catholic sacrament involves the anointing of the sick person with blessed oil and
the laying on of hands. This sacrament is meant to convey God's grace and healing to the
person's body and soul.

Purpose: The primary purpose of the Catholic anointing of the sick is to offer spiritual and
physical healing, forgiveness of sins, and the strengthening of the individual's faith during times
of serious illness or when facing the end of life. It is not limited to the dying but can be
administered to those with chronic or acute illnesses.

Beliefs: Catholics believe that this sacrament is a channel of God's grace, offering the sick
person the opportunity for spiritual healing and forgiveness, as well as physical recovery if it
aligns with God's will.

Christian View of the Anointing of the Sick (outside of Catholicism):

Varied Practice: In broader Christianity, the view and practice of the anointing of the sick can
vary widely among different denominations and traditions. Some denominations may not have a
formal sacrament for anointing the sick, while others may have similar practices, but they may
not consider it a sacrament in the same way that the Catholic Church does.

Intercessory Prayer: In many Christian traditions, when someone is seriously ill, it is common
to engage in intercessory prayer for healing. While this practice may involve anointing with oil
and laying on of hands, it may not always have the same theological significance as the
Catholic sacrament.

Focus on Faith: Many Christians, including those outside of the Catholic Church, believe in the
power of faith and prayer for healing. The emphasis may be more on the person's faith and the
faith of the community rather than the ritual itself.

Interpretation: The interpretation of the anointing of the sick varies among Christian
denominations. Some may view it primarily as a symbolic act of care and support, while others
may see it as a means of invoking divine healing.

In summary, while the anointing of the sick is a recognized sacrament within the Catholic
Church, its practice and significance in broader Christianity can vary. Other Christian
denominations may have similar practices, but they may interpret and administer them
differently, with a greater emphasis on faith, prayer, and community support, rather than the
sacramental nature of the rite as seen in Catholicism.