The Anointing of the Sick
The Anointing of the Sick (also known as the Sacrament of the Sick, and formerly known as Extreme Unction) is a sacrament instituted by our Lord through His Church for the healing of body and soul. Jesus healed many people during his time on Earth. In the ministry of Jesus, there is a connection between His healing of the sick and the Good News of God’s mercy, and the gift of eternal life. The sickness of the body, which can lead to death, is a sign of the sinful condition of the human soul, in need of Christ’s redemption.
Jesus’ ministry of healing body and soul is given to His apostles and ultimately to His Church. In the Gospel of Mark we read, “And [the apostles] cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them” (Mark 6:13). In the Letter of St. James we have an explicit instruction on this sacrament: “Is any 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; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:14-15). In this text, note that the “elders” (presbyters=priests) are called to “pray over” (impose hands on) the sick person, and they are to be anointed. There were times in the Early Church when the faithful would have flasks of olive oil blessed on the altar during the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass. They would take this oil home and anoint themselves or their children for Christian healing (it was not really the full sacrament, but it was better than the pagan superstitious practices they were tempted to use).
As for the forgiveness of sins, this Sacrament of Healing has always been associated with the other sacrament in this category: the Sacrament of Penance. In the Church’s practice, the one who receives the Sacrament of the Sick is expected to have received the Sacrament of Penance, either immediately before, or at least recently enough that there is no serious sin on their soul. In the case of a dying person who has lost the capacity to speak (or the mental capacity to make a confession), the Anointing of the Sick provides for the forgiveness of sins, even serious ones. This last fact is part of the reason that people would wait to the extreme end of their lives to be anointed (hence the name “Extreme Unction”—the “anointing at the very end”).
When is the right time for someone to be anointed? With the sacramental and liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council, we are instructed: “Hence, as soon as any one of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for that person to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived” (Pastoral Care of the Sick). We read here that one is not supposed to wait until they are sliding toward death to receive this sacrament. Instead, it is when one is “in danger of death from sickness or old age” that they should be anointed. So, when someone is diagnosed with a disease that could potentially lead toward death, or when someone is getting close to the age of death, like one’s parents, it is a good idea to be anointed. If their condition becomes worse and there is a new diagnosis or prognosis, that is a time to be anointed again. Any time an adult is scheduled to have a surgery with general anesthesia, and/or on some vital organ of the body, it is appropriate to be anointed. Some mental illnesses are also considered to be appropriate for anointing. At the end of life, sometimes this sacrament is given again simply to show the love and concern of Christ and the Church for the sick person.
The priests of Our Lady of Divine Providence Family of Parishes are always happy to anoint people who request it. If there is not time immediately after Mass, we will happily make an appointment to anoint you or your loved one in church or at home. Also, we hope more frequently to offer the Anointing to several people during Mass. Therefore, if you do not think it is best for you to be anointed at next weekend’s Masses (September 7-8), you haven’t missed your chance! We are anointing people all the time!
Should you be anointed at Mass? Some considerations:
• Have you reached “old age” (such that you may be in danger of death)?
• Are you sick with some serious disease (or injury or some other health condition) that you are struggling with?
• Do you have a surgery scheduled soon, that is serious in itself or requires general anesthesia?
• Should you go to confession first?
• Would it be better to wait for another time when certain members of your family are present?
These and other considerations should inform your decision to request anointing at Masses the weekend of September 7-8. Whether you receive the sacrament or just pray along for those who do, I hope that these anointing Masses are a good and edifying experience for you.
-Fr. Umberg