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. It conveys several graces and imparts gifts of strengthening by the Holy Spirit against anxiety, discouragement, and temptation, and conveys peace and fortitude (CCC 1520).

These graces flow from the atoning death of Jesus Christ, for,

“this was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, 'He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.'"

Matthew 8:17

Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.

James 5:13-15

This sacrament is intended for when “anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age” and “just prior to a serious operation” (CCC 1514,1515).