Anointing of the Sick is one of the two Sacraments of Healing.  The other Sacrament of Healing is the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  This sacrament is a powerful and effective sign of Jesus’ presence that brings strength and healing to the sick, the elderly and the dying.

The celebration of the Sacrament can help the sick get well again.  When that does not happen, the Sacrament helps the sick face their illness with faith and trust.  It also helps dying people continue their faith journey to God in Heaven.

The Sacrament’s name has changed over time.  It was once called Extreme Unction which means ‘last anointing’ and has been referred to as part of the ‘last rites’. The Anointing of the Sick can be administered to a baptised member of the faithful who, having reached the age of reason or begins to be in danger by reason of illness or old age.  The Sacrament can be repeated if the sick person had recovered after the previous reception of anointing.  It can be conferred again if, during the same illness, the condition becomes more serious.

The special grace of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick has its effects:

• uniting of the sick person to the Passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole church;
• the strengthening, peace and courage to endure the suffering of illness or old age;
• the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the Sacrament of Penance
• the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul;
• the preparation for passing over to eternal life