The Sacrament of the anointing of the sick in the Catechism of the Church

The sacrament of the anointing of the sick, administered by a validly ordained priest, bishop or deacon, is part of the sacraments of healing, along with reconciliation.

This sacrament is addressed specifically in Article 5 of the second section of the catechism on the seven sacraments of the Church, numbers 1499 to 1532.

What are the conditions to receive this sacrament?

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is especially conferred when a Christian experiences difficulty inherent in the state of serious illness or old age (No. 1527), in case of danger of death due to illness or old age (Nos. 1514 and 1528), or on the threshold of a major operation (No. 1515). “If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can in the case of another grave illness receive this sacrament again. If during the same illness the person's condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated.” (No. 1515).

Who can administer this sacrament?

Only the priest or the bishop can administer this sacrament, catechism number 1516 tells us. This issue encourages pastors and faithful to use or make known this sacrament: “It is the duty of pastors to instruct the faithful on the benefits of this sacrament. The faithful should encourage the sick to call for a priest to receive this sacrament. “(No. 1516)

How is the sacrament of the anointing of the sick performed?

The performance of this sacrament is discussed in numbers 1517 to 1245, and in number 1531. The anointing of the sick is a liturgical and community sacrament (No. 1517) and can be held in the family, in the hospital or in the Church (No. 1517) for a single patient or for a whole group of infirm (No. 1517), it is “very appropriate that it is celebrated within the Eucharist” (No. 1517), it can be preceded by the sacrament of reconciliation and followed by the Eucharist (No. 1517). The Eucharist should always be the last sacrament of life on Earth, number 1517 mentions. Numbers 1519 and 1531 explain the rite of the anointing of the sick. Under number 1531, it is written: “The celebration of the Anointing of the Sick consists essentially in the anointing of the forehead and hands of the sick person (in the Roman Rite) or of other parts of the body (in the Eastern rite), the anointing being accompanied by the liturgical prayer of the celebrant asking for the special grace of this sacrament.” Let us add that the anointing oil is the oil that was consecrated by the bishop during the Chrism Mass.

What are the effects of the anointing of the sick?

The performance of this sacrament is discussed in numbers 1520 to 1245, and in number 1532. The effects and graces that we can highlight are in particular: a grace of comfort, peace, courage, it assists the person in “difficulties that go with the condition of serious illness or the frailty of old age” and “strengthens against the temptations of the evil one, the temptation to discouragement and anguish in the face of death” No. 1520, also the union with the Passion of Christ (No. 1521), an ecclesial grace “the sick person receives the strength and the gift of uniting himself more closely to Christ's Passion: in a certain way he is consecrated to bear fruit by configuration to the Savior's redemptive Passion. Suffering, a consequence of original sin, acquires a new meaning; it becomes a participation in the saving work of Jesus.” number 1522, and prepares for the last passage “this last anointing fortifies the end of our earthly life like a solid rampart for the final struggles before entering the Father's house.” Number 1523.

The Viaticum, the last sacrament of the Christian

Finally, numbers 1524 and 1525 speak of the viaticum, as the last sacrament of the Christian. Number 1524 says: “The Church offers those who are about to leave this life the Eucharist as viaticum. Communion in the body and blood of Christ, received at this moment of “passing over” to the Father, has a particular significance and importance. It is the seed of eternal life and the power of resurrection…”

With Hozana, let us pray for the sick!

With Hozana, let us think of all the sick, who are preparing to take the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, or who have to face disease every day. Hozana offers you several communities to think about the sick, such as:

·         This novena to Our Lady of Lourdes to entrust the sick to Mary

·         This novena for the healing of cancer patients