Anointing the Sick

The Catholic Church professes and teaches that the anointing of the sick is one of the seven Sacraments of the New Testament. ‘-  that it was instituted by Christ our Lord , intimated in Mark (6:13) and through James, the apostle and brother of the Lord, recommended to the faithful and made known:

 ‘Is there anyone sick among you? Let him send for the presbyters 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 the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, they will be forgiven him.’

(James 5: 14-15)

Mt. 25:37

The Lord himself showed great concern for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the sick and commanded his followers to do the same.  This is clear from the Gospels, and above all from the existence of the Sacrament of Anointing, which he instituted and which is made know in the Letter of James. Since then the Church has never ceased to celebrate the Sacrament for its members by the anointing and prayer of its priest, commending those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that He may raise them up and save them.

The celebration of the Sacrament consists especially in the laying on of hands by the priest of the Church, the offering of the prayer of faith, and the anointing of the sick with oil, made holy by God’s blessing.  This rite signifies the grace of the Sacrament and confers it.  (The parts of the body anointed are the forehead and palms of the hand.)

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT?

Any Catholic who is:

  • Seriously ill or very elderly.
  • About to undergo surgery.

These conditions also apply to children.
The Sacrament of Anointing does not need to be re-administered within a 3-month period unless there is a serious deterioration of the person’s health during this time.