1. What does the anointing of the sick do?
Religion 7

2. The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick strengthens those who are ill.

4. History of the sacrament
Jesus told his apostles, “Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.” (Mt 10:8).
The apostles “anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them” (Mk 6:13)/
In a letter St. James states, “Are any among you sick? They should call for the priests of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick … and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.” (Jas 5:14-15)

5. A Note On Illness
Illness makes us face our limitations and reminds us of death.
The experience of being ill can turn a person against God or inspire a person to seek God. Because Christ suffered, suffering now has meaning.

6. BTW
For centuries, this sacrament was only given to those who were dying and was called Extreme Unction.

7. Effects of the Sacrament
The Anointing of the Sick has many benefits:
It helps the sick to be witnesses of Christian hope. They receive grace to bear suffering, fight illness, and resist temptation.
The sacrament brings peace of heart, and trust in God replaces anxiety and fear.
The sick receive grace to unite themselves to Jesus’s suffering and death.
The sacrament also forgives sin if the sick person has not been able to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation immediately before the anointing.
If this is the last anointing, it gives strength for the final journey.
The Anointing of the Sick may restore health if this is for the spiritual good of the sick person.

8. Who May Receive the Sacrament?
Anyone in danger of death may receive the Anointing of the Sick.
This includes the dangerously ill, the elderly, and those facing surgery.
It is NOT for minor illnesses like a cold.
You can receive this sacrament more than once.

9. How is the Sacrament celebrated?
The Anointing of the Sick can take place in church, in a hospital, or in a home.
It can be for one person or a group of people.
The sacrament begins with an act of repentance, followed by a reading from Scripture.
Then the priest lays hands on the head of the sick people and prays over them.
He anoints them by making the sign of the cross with oil on the forehead and each hand.

10. Viaticum Those who are close to death also receive the Eucharist.
This reminds them that Jesus promised eternal life to all who eat his flesh and drink his blood.
This final Communion is called Viaticum, a Latin word which means “with you on the way.”

11. Scripture Link Jesus Gives Life to a Woman and a Girl
A man named Jairus once begged Jesus to come to his house. His twelve-year-old daughter was dying. As Jesus went, a crowd was pressing on him. One woman had been sick for twelve years and had spent all her money on doctors. She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his clothes. At once she was well again. Jesus said, “Someone touched me. I felt power go out.” The woman came forth and declared her healing. Jesus said her faith had cured her. At that, the servants of Jairus came with news that his daughter had died. Still Jesus went to the house. He entered it with only Peter, John, James and the girl’s parents. To the weeping mourners Jesus said, “She is not dead but sleeping.” Then he took the girl by the hand and said, “Child, get up!” She got up, and Jesus told her amazed parents to give her something to eat.
Luke 8: 40-56