The anointing of the sick

The anointing of the sick is the sacrament by which Christ comes to sustain and save those whom grave illness or old age wears down. By the anointing with a blessed oil and the prayer of the Church, he gives them his strength, consoles their heart, remits their sins and unites them to his Passion.

For the sick and the aged

This sacrament is for every faithful whose health is seriously impaired, by a grave illness, before an important operation, or by the weakening of old age. It can be received several times: each time the condition worsens, or a new serious illness arises. It accompanies the sick throughout the trial.

The gesture received from the Lord

Christ went through Galilee healing the sick, and he gave his apostles the same power. They “anointed with oil many sick and healed them.” Mark 6:13 The Church received this gesture from them, which Saint James describes as a sacrament entrusted to the priests. “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call the priests of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick man, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.” James 5:14-15

The grace of the sacrament

The grace of this sacrament comforts the sick person: it gives him the strength, the peace and the courage to bear his trial as a Christian, and raises him up interiorly, as Saint James promises. It also remits his sins, above all when he can no longer confess them, and can obtain the healing of the body if God judges it good for the salvation of the soul. More deeply, it unites the sick person to the Passion of Christ: Scripture teaches that suffering offered with the Lord becomes fruitful and leads to glory. “If we suffer with him, it is to be glorified with him.” Romans 8:17

The passage to the Father

For the one who approaches the end, the anointing becomes a preparation for the last passage: it strengthens him for the encounter with God and leads him toward eternal life. The Church then also gives him the Eucharist as viaticum, the bread of the journey that nourishes the passage from this life to the Father.