Sacrament
of the Anointing of the Sick
The Sacrament of the
Anointing of the Sick
is known by other names like Extreme Unction and Last Rites. The anointing
is a source of strength for both the soul and the body. The prayer of
the Church asks that sin and the remnants of sin be taken away (cf. DS
1969). It also implores a restoration of health, but always in order that
bodily healing may bring greater union with God through the increase of
grace.
History
of the Sacrament of the
Anointing of the Sick
During His
public ministry, Jesus healed people—the blind, the lame, the lepers,
the deaf and mute, the hemorrhaging and the dying. His healing touched
both body and soul. In most of the accounts of the healing miracles, the
ill person comes to a deeper conviction of faith, and the witnesses know
that "God has visited His people" The healing ministry of our Lord continues
through His Church. Jesus instructed the apostles and sent them out on
mission: "With that, they went off, preaching the need of repentance.
They expelled many demons, anointed the sick with oil, and worked many
cures"
Various
Church Fathers attest to the use of this sacrament in the early Church.
St. Augustine (d. 430) wrote that he "was accustomed to visit the sick
who desired it in order to lay his hands on them and pray at their bedside,"
and from his writings it is probable that he anointed them with blessed
oil. Pope Innocent I (d. 417), in his letter of instruction to Decentius,
affirmed that the Letter of St. James clearly refers to the sacrament,
the bishop must bless the oil, a bishop or priest must administer the
sacrament, and the sacrament complements the sacrament of Penance, conveying
the forgiveness of sin. About the twelfth century, this sacrament became
commonly known as "Extreme Unction," perhaps for two reasons: First, this
anointing concluded the series of sacramental anointings during a person's
spiritual life—beginning at Baptism and followed by Confirmation and perhaps
Holy Orders, and concluding with Extreme Unction. Second, this anointing
more and more was used for those
The Second Vatican Council addressed the usage of the sacrament in its Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (1963): "Extreme Unction," which may also and more fittingly be called 'anointing of the sick,' is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Through the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of her priests, the entire Church commends the sick to the suffering and glorified Lord, imploring for them relief and salvation.
from EWTN
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Related Catechism