What is Anointing of the Sick ?
The Anointing of the Sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death.
The Minister
A priest or a bishop may administer the Anointing of the Sick
Who can receive the sacrament?
Those who are seriously ill, at the point of death, or someone about to undergo a serious operation
How often can one receive the Anointing of the Sick?
The sacrament is repeatable if the illness or a person's health worsens or further surgeries are necessary
The Form
Prayer of the priest/bishop over the sick person for the grace of the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins
The Matter
Primary Matter: Anointing with Holy Oil
Secondary matter: Imposition of hands
Secondary matter: Imposition of hands
The Rite
Anointing of the forehead and hands with Holy Oil accompanied by prayers
The effects of the sacrament:
- Sins forgiven (This is why a priest or bishop must administer the sacrament)
- Grace to face death and judgement
- Spiritual preparation to die
- If God's will, physical healing
When the sacrament is called for
Those who are seriously ill, at the point of death, or someone about to undergo a serious operation may receive the sacrament. So can those who are elderly whose fragility has become worse. The sacrament may be repeatable if the illness or a person's health worsens or further surgeries are necessary
Healing the sick in scripture done by the apostles
- Peter heals a man who had been lame his entire life in Acts 3: One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them
- Paul resurrecting a man from the dead in Acts 20: 7-12: On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
- James 5:14-15: Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
How Anointing of the Sick relates to the mercy of God
Jesus came in order to show God's love. He often did this in places where we feel especially threatened: in the weakening of our life through sickness. God wants us yo become well in body and soul and, therefore, to believe and to acknowledge the coming of God's kingdom. Jesus designated care of the sick as a central task for his disciples. He commands them, "Heal the sick", and he promises them divine authority. When the sick is being anointed God is acting through the priest/ bishop and healing the person in some way shape or form.