ANOINTING OF THE SICK
The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is one of two sacraments which heals and saves the baptized person from sin. The other sacrament of healing is Penance.
The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is the continuation of the Lord's compassion for the sick. Christ so identified with the sufferings of the sick that he made their sufferings his own.
The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confers grace and this grace:
unites the suffering of the sick person to the sufferings of Christ;
strengthens the sick person with courage and peace to endure whatever sufferings are caused by disease or old age;
forgives all sins for which the sick person has true sorrow but was unable to confess;
sometimes restores health if it is appropriate for the salvation of the sick person;
and prepares the sick person for the transition to eternal life.
Those who are in danger of death from sickness or old age may receive this sacrament.
Those undergoing surgery are usually anointed.
Those who receive the Anointing of the Sick and then recover from the sickness may receive the sacrament again either because of age or another sickness.
Those who are sick and receive this sacrament may receive the sacrament again if their illness worsens.
The essential rite of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick are the words: "Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit" and by the priest while he anoints the forehead of the recipient. Then the priest says, "May the lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up" while anointing the palms of the hands of the recipient.
The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is often preceded by the sacrament of Penance, if the sick person's condition allows it. Also, it is followed by the reception of Holy Communion, if the condition of the sick person permits it.
When Holy Communion is received following the celebration of the sacrament of Anointing, it is called Viaticum.
Viaticum literally mans food for the traveler. Holy Communion is seed of eternal life and is therefore appropriately given to those who are about to pass over to eternal life.
When the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is celebrated at the sick person's home, care should be taken to have a small table covered with a white linen cloth. If Holy Communion is to be received, candles should be burning. The priest usually will bring holy water, otherwise this should be provided together with a means of sprinkling the holy water: a sprinkler or branch.
Only priests (and bishops) may celebrate the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
Information on this page was taken from Outlines of the Catholic Faith with permission from The Leaflet Missal Company. Click here for more information about Leaflet Missal Company publications.