The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick was first recommended in James 5:14-15. In this sacrament, the priest anoints the sick with blessed oil while saying, “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.” This sacrament is given to those who are in danger of death, be it due to illness or old age.

Receiving the sacrament, the sick experiences the gift of the Holy Spirit to overcome the temptations of despair while approaching death. They also experience forgiveness of sins, which heals the soul, and healing of the body if the Lord wills. More importantly, the sacrament allows the sick to unite their suffering with Christ’s, giving their suffering a new meaning as it enables them to participate in Jesus’ saving work. Ultimately, this anointing completes their journey in following Christ’s death and resurrection, just as baptism began it. It strengthens the end of their life in this world and prepares them for the journey to eternal life.