Anointing

of the sick
Meaning and background
The sacrament finds a person who is sick or a person
who is of old age to be anointed with the Oil of the
Sick (Oleo Infirmis) on the head and the hands by a
Priest.
In that anointing, the grace of the sacrament yields a
type of healing and the forgiveness of sins.
Meaning and background
• In the Church's Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick,
through the ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who
touches the sick to heal them from sin – and
sometimes even from physical ailment. His cures were
signs of the arrival of the Kingdom of God.
• The core message of his healing tells us of his plan to
conquer sin and death by his dying and rising.
Meaning and background
• The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no
need to wait until a person is at the point of
death to receive the Sacrament. A careful
judgment about the serious nature of the
illness is sufficient.
 In Vatican II, the significance of the change in the
name of the sacrament was drilled into the thinking of
seminarians and priests alike. It was no longer called
“extreme unction”, and it was now to be
administered as soon as possible in any serious illness.
Thus, the sacrament was reduced to anointing of the
sick, and it became the “Sacrament of the
Anointing of the Sick.”
 In reality, the norms were very clear that in the phrase
“the sick,” meant the serious illnesses, or those whose
health is seriously impaired due to old age. Then it
simply states without any further qualification that the
sacrament “should be given to anyone whose
health is seriously impaired.”
biblical foundation “Is anyone among you
sick? He should summon
the presbyters of the
church, and they should
The Sacrament pray over him and anoint
was instituted him with oil in the name of
the Lord, and the prayer of
by Christ and faith will save the sick
made known person, and the Lord will
most clearly by raise him up. If he has
committed any sins, he will
his Apostle be forgiven.”
James.
(James 5:14-15).
Implications, issues, and challenges
• The sacraments of forgiveness and healing proclaim
and allow us to articulate in the community a love that
has always been present in us, a love that originates
from God.
• The suffering being experienced during illness can
lead us to deepen our realization regarding our need
for God and other people.
Implications, issues, and challenges
• The celebration of the sacrament of healing suggests
an experience of humility and eagerness to be united
with others amidst a feeling of alienation and isolation.
• This sacrament is also a manifestation of God’s love
through the laying of hands, prayer and forgiveness of
sins.
Life situation
During this state of sickness, we may find ourselves
being isolated, or worse, being alienated. It is also the
time when our faith in God may be weakened by illness.
But having a positive experience even at a time when
we are not well makes us realize that life is worth
living. There is a reason to hope for faster recovery.
Life situation
Illness and suffering have always been
among the gravest problems confronted in
human life. In illness, man experiences his
powerlessness, his limitations, and his
finitude. Every illness can make us glimpse
death.