Anointing of The Sick

What Is The Anointing of The Sick?

Jesus loved the sick. He visited, forgave and healed them. Recognizing Christ in our brothers and sisters, the Church continues his saving work and care for the sick in our midst. We remember the sick in the Liturgy of the Hours, at Mass during the Prayer of the Faithful, by bringing them Communion, and by special blessings and prayers, particularly the Sacrament of Anointing.

Through holy Anointing, the Church commends the sick to the glorified Lord who suffered for us so that he may save them and raise them up. 

The sick contribute to the welfare of the whole People of God by their witness to Divine Providence still at work in their lives and by associating themselves with the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus.

Who to Anoint? 

  • Adults (and those children old enough to understand what is taking place) suffering a serious illness, involved in a serious accident, or facing surgery or medical tests.
  • Those suffering chronic infirmity (such as arthritis or diabetes) or serious mental illness
  • The elderly, especially when frailty is pronounced, even without serious illness.

When to Anoint?

Anointing of the Sick should always take place in the early stages of any serious illness so that it may be received with full, conscious faith and devotion. In this way, the sick as well as their family and friends may truly participate and derive real comfort from the celebration.

The sacrament should be celebrated as early as possible - before there is a sense of crisis. If the sick person's condition grows more serious, or if there is a relapse after recovery, the sacrament may be repeated. It is not essential to repeat the anointing, even if it took place early in the illness. Anointing of the Sick is not celebrated after death has occurred.

Resources

Here are some resources to help you rediscover the life-giving Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.

Pope Francis: "The Beauty of the Anointing of the Sick"​

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Catechism of the Catholic Church: 1499-1532

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Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Anointing of the Sick: 313-320

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The Code of Canon Law: 844

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Frequently Asked Questions

In solidarity with the sick, the Church believes and confesses "the life-giving presence of Christ, the physician of souls and bodies" in this "sacred anointing" (CCC: 1509; 1511). "But even the most intense prayers do not always obtain the healing of all illnesses." (CCC: 1508) The liturgical actions signify what grace the sacrament confers upon the sick: (i.) a gift of the Holy Spirit who grants fortitude and renewal of trust and faith in God especially against the temptations of the evil one; (ii.) union with Christ in His redemptive suffering and death; (iii.) the restoration of health if it is conducive to their salvation; (iv.) an ecclesial grace sanctifying the Church on earth; (v.) sacramentum exeuntium that completes all the holy anointings that mark the whole Christian life and prepares the final journey of those who are at the point of departing this life.

The sacrament is connected to divine absolution through the Church: as administered by the priest, the anointing has effects of "the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance". ​ (CCC: 1520-1523; 1532)

No. The Church believes and teaches that the sacrament is not a sacrament only for those who are at the point of death but for those among the faithful, including children reaching the age of reason, who "begin to be in danger of death from sickness or old age". (CCC: 1514)

Yes, and at the discretion of the priest. (Cf. CCC: 1515) One should ask for a priest to confer the sacrament again in any situation of grave illness, whether the situation is persisting, recurring, worsening, or a newly developed one and so on.

Only a validly ordained priest should confer the Sacrament.

The "priests of the Church"—in silence—lay hands on the sick; they pray over them in the loving faith of the Church in the hope of Holy Spirit to come and act; they then anoint them with sacred oil. (CCC: 1519).

No. Sacraments are for the living. The Church cares deeply about who are present at the death of a loved one and the family of our faithful departed. Please get in touch with your pastor or deacon or lay assistant if you wish to receive pastoral care and the prayers of your parish family.

Current practices at Ontario hospitals make it easily the responsibility of the patient or their families to declare the patient's religious affiliation at admissions. For the Sacrament to be arranged, it is absolutely crucial that you or your immediate family let the hospital administration (e.g., a nurse or a physician) or the hospital chaplaincy know 

  • that you are Roman Catholic and

  • that you would like to ask for a priest especially if his immediate visit is desirable.

A Roman Catholic priest is necessary to confer the sacrament. 

Make sure your parish know about your wish to receive the Sacrament. If you are not attending a parish currently, phone one of our many parish families to discuss your circumstance.

When a baptized child is in danger of death, he/she may be confirmed, and celebrate First Holy Eucharist at the time of Anointing by the priests of the Church.