What is Anointing of the Sick?
Anointing of the Sick was once known as extreme unction or the last anointing. During some centuries there was a tendency to reserve this sacrament only for those quite near death, thus the sacrament then became known as extreme unction. The Church has made it clear that it wishes this sacrament for the sick to be more generally available. According to St. James there should be special care and concern that those who are dangerously ill due to sickness or old age receive this sacrament. The sacrament may be repeated if a sick person recovers after anointing or if during the same illness the danger becomes more serious. A sick person should be anointed before surgery if an illness is the reason for the surgery. Elderly people may be anointed if in a weak condition, even if no dangerous illness is present. Anointing of the Sick calls down the Grace of the Holy Spirit. In a special way Christ charges his priests to anoint the sick while praying over them in a sacramental gesture that woul
