THE SACRAMENT OF THE SICK

I. The Anointing of The Sick

Some Theology. Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness, man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations, and his finitude. Every illness can make us glimpse death. Illness can lead to anguish, self-absorption, sometimes-even despair and revolt against God. It can also make a person more mature, helping him discern in his life what is not essential so that he can turn toward that which is. Very often illness provokes a search for God and a return to Him. 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 was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by St Mark, but is recommended to the faithful and promulgated by St James the Apostle and brother of the Lord. Over the centuries the Anointing of the Sick was conferred more and more exclusively on those at the point of death. Because of this it received the name “Extreme Unction”. Notwithstanding this evolution the liturgy has never failed to beg the Lord that the sick person may recover his health if it would be conducive to his salvation.

II. A Sacrament of the Sick

Index of the following paragraphs:
1. The Apostolic Constitution.
2. In Case of Grave Illness.
3. Who Can Minister?
4. How it is Celebrated.
5. The Effects of the Sacrament.
6. Viaticum, the Last Sacrament of the Christian.
7. An Obligation to Summon the Priest.

1. The Apostolic Constitution. The Sacrament of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill by anointing them with duly blessed oil on the forehead and hands: "Through this holy anointing may the Lord in His love and mercy, free you from sin save you and raise you up."

2. In Case of Grave Illness. The Anointing of the Sick "is not a sacrament for only those who are at the point of death". Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive the sacrament has certainly already arrived. If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can, in the case of another 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.

3. Who can Minister. Only priests (Bishop's and Presbyters) are ministers of the anointing of the sick. It is the duty of Pastors to instruct the faithful on the benefits of this sacrament. 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 disposition, 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.

4. How is it Celebrated. Like all 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. It is very fitting to celebrate it within the Eucharist, the memorial of the Lord's Passion. If circumstances suggest it, the celebration of the sacrament can be preceded by the sacrament of Penance and followed by the sacrament of Holy Eucharist. As the sacrament of Christ's Passover the Eucharist should always be the last sacrament of the earthly journey, the "viaticum" for "passing over" to eternal life.

5. The effects of the Sacrament. 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. The 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."

6. Viaticum, the Last Sacrament of the Christian. In addition to the Anointing of the Sick, the Church offers those who are about to leave this life the Eucharist as Viaticum. Communion in the body and blood of Christ, received at this moment of "passing over" to the Father, has a particular significance and importance. It is the seed of eternal life and the power of resurrection, according to the words of the Lord; "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." Thus, just as Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist form a unity called "the sacraments of Christian Initiation," so too it can be said that 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.

7. An Obligation to Summon a Priest. The faithful have the obligation to summon a priest: 1) as early as possible during a serious illness so that if the sacrament is needed it can consciously received. 2) For every sudden, serious illness or injury. The sacrament should not be administered to those who are obviously dead. In such cases, the priest should be called to offer prayers for the deceased. And give spiritual consolation to the bereaved.