SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK

Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

By Edward Matulanya 

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick

Biblical Foundations of Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

The roots of the Anointing of the Sick can be traced to Scripture. In the Old Testament, oil often symbolized healing and consecration (Psalm 23:5; Isaiah 1:6). Suffering was seen as a place where God’s mercy could be revealed (Job, 2 Kings 20:1–7). In the New Testament, Jesus’ ministry prominently featured healing the sick and forgiving sins (Mark 2:1–12). The Letter of James explicitly instructs: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14–15, NRSV). This passage is considered the direct scriptural foundation for the sacrament.

Development of Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick in the Early Church

Early Christians obeyed James’ command by anointing with oil while offering communal prayers for both physical healing and forgiveness of sins (Martos, 2001). The oil was typically blessed by bishops and applied by presbyters, signifying the Church’s care for the sick.

Medieval Understanding

By the Middle Ages, the practice shifted toward use at the end of life, leading to the name Extreme Unction (from Latin unctio extrema, “last anointing”). The sacrament became more closely associated with preparation for death, focusing on forgiveness and strengthening of the soul (Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Supplement, q.30).

Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick at the Council of Trent

In response to Protestant reformers, the Council of Trent (1545–1563) formally affirmed the Anointing of the Sick as one of the seven sacraments. It emphasized its institution by Christ, the forgiveness of sins, and the role of priests as ministers (Council of Trent, 1551/1848).

Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick Vatican II Reforms

The Second Vatican Council reoriented the sacrament away from exclusively death-related contexts. The Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium (1963) and the Apostolic Constitution Sacram Unctionem Infirmorum (Paul VI, 1972) clarified that the sacrament is intended for anyone in serious illness or advanced age, not just the dying. The name was officially restored to Anointing of the Sick.

Contemporary Theology and Practice of Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

Today, the sacrament is celebrated by bishops and priests, using oil blessed by the bishop. The ritual includes anointing the forehead and hands, accompanied by a prayer for healing and forgiveness:

“Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1993, §1513).

Recipients include those who are gravely ill, undergoing major surgery, or weakened by old age. The sacrament may be received multiple times as circumstances require, and it is often administered alongside Reconciliation and Eucharist (Viaticum) at the end of life.

Effects of Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick

The effects of the sacrament include:

Spiritual strength and peace in suffering.

Forgiveness of sins if confession is not possible.

Union with Christ’s passion, offering suffering for the Church.

Physical healing when aligned with God’s will.

Preparation for eternal life (CCC, 1993, §§1520–1523).

The symbolism of oil, laying on of hands, and communal prayer reflects the healing and strengthening presence of the Holy Spirit.

References

Aquinas, T. (1947). Summa Theologica (Fathers of the English Dominican Province, Trans.). Benziger Bros. (Original work published ca. 1270).

Catechism of the Catholic Church. (1993). Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

Council of Trent. (1848). The canons and decrees of the Council of Trent (T. A. Buckley, Trans.). London: George Routledge. (Original work published 1551).

Martos, J. (2001). Doors to the sacred: A historical introduction to sacraments in the Catholic Church (Rev. ed.). Liguori/Triumph.

Paul VI. (1972). Sacram Unctionem Infirmorum. Apostolic Constitution. Vatican City.

Vatican Council II. (1963). Sacrosanctum Concilium. Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. Vatican City.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FAITH OF ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Image
Image of Catholic Church at Vatican By Edward Matulanya Here are Meaning, believe, founder, sacraments, teaching source, Morals, source of faith, History and key teaching of Roman Catholic Church. 1. Meaning of Roman Catholic Church  The Roman Catholic Church means the universal Christian community under the leadership of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope). 2. Understand the Core Beliefs of the Roman Catholic Faith The Roman Catholic Church belief in one God in three persons ; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1997, §234; Matt. 28:19). Catholics hold that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, whose incarnation, death, and resurrection bring salvation to humanity (CCC, 1997, §§461–463; John 1:14). 2. Founder of Roman Catholic Church  The Church, founded by Christ on the apostles with the pope as Peter’s successor, is “the universal sacrament of salvation” (CCC, 1997, §774; Matt. 16:18–19). Salvation is a gift of grace received through faith ...
Read more

TWELVE APOSTLES OF JESUS

Image
  Jesus Christ with twelve apostles at last feast By Edward Matulanya Here are twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, celebration of Eucharist, their mission, their succession, their liturgical Celebration a summary of their lives.  The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus personally chose and appointed the Twelve to share in His mission and to lay the foundation of the Church. Twelve apostles chosen by Jesus  Jesus called his disciples, and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles (Luke 6:13, NABRE). They were to be with Him, to preach, and to have authority to drive out demons (Mark 3:13-19). Celebration of Eucharist At the Last Supper He conferred on them a share in His priesthood and the command to celebrate the Eucharist (Luke 22:19–20; Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1994/2019, §§859–860). Catholics hold that this apostolic ministry continues through apostolic succession, with bishops as the successors of the apostles (CCC §§861–862). The Role of Jesus’ Ap...
Read more

SAINT JOSEPH OF CUPERTINO

Image
Saint Joseph of Cupertino  By Edward Matulanya Early life of Saint Joseph of Cupertino St. Joseph of Cupertino was born June 17, 1603, in Cupertino, Apulia (southern Italy). Orphaned before birth and raised in poverty, he struggled with learning and was considered slow by his peers. After repeated rejections from religious communities, he was eventually accepted as a servant by the Conventual Franciscans and later admitted as a friar. Vocational life of Saint Joseph of Cupertino  Despite his lack of education, Joseph was ordained a priest in 1628 after a providentially simple examination. He became famous for extraordinary mystical phenomena, especially levitation during ecstatic prayer. These events attracted large crowds and even the attention of the Inquisition, though he was never condemned. Because the public excitement disrupted community life, Joseph spent much of his later years in seclusion, devoted to humility and prayer. He died on September 18, 1663, in Osimo, Ital...
Read more