What is the Sacrament of the Sick?
It is one of the seven sacraments of the New Testament instituted by Christ and alluded to in Mark 6:13 : "They drove out many demons, and rubbed olive oil on many sick people and healed them."1 "The Church believes and confesses that among the seven sacraments there is one especially intended to strengthen those who are being tried by illness: the Anointing of the Sick".2
How is it celebrated?
"Like all the sacraments the Anointing of the Sick is a liturgical and communal celebration, whether it takes place in the family home, a hospital or church, for a single sick person or a whole group of sick persons. If circumstances suggest it, the celebration of the sacrament can be preceeded by the sacrament of Penance and followed by the sacrament of the Eucharist...the ‘viaticum’ for ‘passing over’ to eternal life."3 The Sacrament of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill by anointing them on the forehead and hands with duly blessed oil, saying only once : "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."4 Only priests (bishops and presbyters) are ministers of the Anointing of the Sick.5
Is it only for the dying?
The Anointing of the Sick - which may also be called Extreme Unction - " is not a sacrament only for those who are at the point of death." 6 The apostle James wrote in his epistle: "Is there anyone who is sick? He should send for the church elders, who will pray for him and rub olive oil on him in the name of the Lord. This prayer made in faith will heal the sick person: the Lord will restore him to health, and the sins he has committed will be forgiven."7 From the earliest times, the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was cherished among Christians, not only in inmediate danger of death, but even at the beginning sign of danger from illness or old age.
When should a person receive it?
"Hence, as soon as any one 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." 8 "The faithful should encourage the sick to call for a priest to receive this sacrament. The sick should prepare themselves to receive it with good dispositions, assisted by their pastor and the whole ecclesial community, which is invited to surround the sick in a special way through their prayers and fraternal attention." 9
What are its benefits?
"A particular gift of the Holy Spirit. The first grace of this sacrament is one of strengthening, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of serious illness or the frailty of old age. This grace is a gift of the Holy Spirit, who renews trust and faith in God and strengthens against the temptations of the evil one, the temptation to discouragement and anguish in the face of death. This assistance from the Lord by the power of his Spirit is meant to lead the sick person to healing of the soul, but also of the body if such is God’s will. Furthermore, if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." 10 "By the grace of this sacrament the sick person receives the strength and the gift of uniting himself more closely to Christ’s passion" and his suffering "acquires a new meaning: it becomes a participation in the saving work of Jesus." 11 "It also relieves and strengthens the soul of the sick person, arousing in him a great confidence in the divine mercy, whereby being thus sustained he more easily bears the trials and labors of his sickness." 12 "The sick who receive this sacrament, by freely uniting themselves to the passion and death of Christ, contribute to the good of the People of God." 13
Can it be received more than once?
"If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can in the case of another grave illness receive this sacrament again. If during the same illness the person’s condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated. It is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to a serious operation. The same holds for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced."14
What if the patient is unconcious?
"It may be given to a person no longer concious." 15 "Penance, the Anointing of the Sick and the Eucharist as viaticum constitute at the end of Christian life ‘the sacraments that prepare for our heavenly homeland’ or the sacraments that complete the earthly pilgrimage. Communion in the body and blood of Christ, received before "passing over" to the Father, "is the seed of eternal life and the power of resurrection."16 Unfortunately, most patients on their last day of earthly life are too sick or unconscious to profit fully from the sacrament. 17 This is the reason why one should not hesitate to call a priest when someone is seriously ill, while that person is still concious and able to receive the full benefits of the sacrament.
NOTES
1. Apostolic Constitution on the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick by Pope Paul VI, issued November 30, 1972.
2.The Catechism of the Catholic Church, No.1511.
3.The Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1517.
4. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1513.
5. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1516.
6. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, No.1514.
7. James 5: 14-15.
8. Apostolic Constitution on the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick by Pope Paul VI, issued November 30, 1972.
9. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, No.1516.
10.The Catechism of the Catholic Church, No.1520.
11.The Catechism of the Catholic Church, No.1521.
12. Apostolic Constitution on the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, by Pope Paul VI, issued November 30, 1972.
13. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, No.1522.
14. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, No.1515.
15. "The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick", from the website of Incarnation Catholic Church in Tampa.
16. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1525.
17. "The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, Why?", Father David Delich, www.catholic.net/RCCPeriodicals/Homiletic/10-96/4.4.html.
