The Anointing of the Sick

Introduction

In January, we introduced the first of the Sacraments of Healing by looking at Reconciliation.  This month, we turn to the other Sacrament of Healing, the Anointing of the Sick. If you are a Catholic of a certain age, you might call this “Last Rites”, but the Catechism tells us in 1514 that “The Anointing of the Sick is not a sacrament for only those who are at the point of death."  It can be a powerful spiritual and even physical aid for those struggling.

Description of the Sacrament

The Sacrament is available to baptized Catholics who begin to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, just prior to a serious surgery, or when the elderly are weakened though no notable illness is present.  It can also be received by those who suffer mental illness.  CCC 1515 also says “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.”

The priest is the minister of the Sacrament because he acts in the person of Christ who touches the sick to heal them from sin and sometimes physically from the illness itself.
 
The primary effect of the Sacrament is spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties of old age or a serious illness, even if there is no physical healing.  The hoped-for effect of the Sacrament is that, if it is God's will, the person will also be physically healed of illness.

The Effects of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick (CCC 1520 – 1523)

•    A strengthening, peace, and courage to overcome the stresses that go with the state of serious illness or the frailty of old age. The bravery to endure the sufferings that come with sickness and age is also received.
•    The sick person is united more closely to Christ's Passion for the sick person’s own good and the good of the entire Church.
•    Sins are forgiven if the person is not able to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
•    A person’s health may be restored, or the person will be prepared for passing into eternal life.

Does God always cure illness through this Sacrament?

God does not promise that the person who is sick will be cured, He promises that the Sacrament will prepare the person with the grace needed to go home to heaven.

God often permits us to suffer in small ways or large ways for our sanctification and God uses our suffering to help others. It’s a beautiful reminder that suffering, while difficult, can have a purpose in God’s plan to make us holy. Offering up our suffering for others, or accepting it in the spirit of Christ, can transform it into something that draws us closer to God.
Matter and Form

A priest validly administers the Anointing of the Sick (Canon Law 1003).  However, there is no restriction on who can offer prayers for the sick, which is why each and every one of us should pray for those who are ill.

The essential form of the Sacrament is the prayer of the priest:

“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.”

The matter of the Sacrament consists of being anointed with the Holy Oil of the Sick (Oleum Infirmorum) and the laying on of hands by the priest.

If the Sacrament is received as the last rites of the Church, it includes a final reception of Holy Communion, called Viaticum. Viaticum in Latin means that which you take on the road, i.e., provisions for a journey.  Receiving the Eucharist as food for the journey is a profound way of preparing for the final journey to Heaven. It reinforces that even at life’s end, we are not alone but walking with Christ.

If you would like to receive the Anointing of the Sick, please call the Parish Office. If calling after hours for an emergency, please follow the prompts and select number 7.

-Birgitt Hacker, Pastoral Associate