Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick
The Second Vatican Council said: "By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests, the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed the Church exhorts them to contribute to the people of God by freely uniting themselves to the passion and death of Christ." It then cites Colossians 1:24, "I am now rejoicing in my suffering for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church." The council also stated that the sacrament of the sick is more fittingly called the Anointing of the Sick rather than Extreme Unction, because "it is not a sacrament fo those only who are at the point of death."

The current liturgical directives say: "The Letter of James states that the sick are to be anointed in order to raise them up and save them (James 5:14-15). Great care and concern should be taken to see that those of the faithful whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age should receive this sacrament."

If there is any doubt about the seriousness of an illness, the priest should be consulted.

Elderly people may be anointed if they have become notably weakened, even if no serious illness is present.

The new liturgy of the sick also provides for an anointing of seriously ill individuals or groups at Mass. These Masses may be celebrated either in a private home or hospital or in a church.

Since all the sacraments are communal by nature, at least family members should be present and take part in the prayers of the anointing and of holy Communion if it is administered.

Ordinarily, the Anointing of the Sick is preceded by a friendly greeting, a sprinking with holy water, and a brief instruction on the menaing of the rite. If the patient wishes to receive the Sacrament of Penance, other people should leave the room. Otherwise all present join in the penitential rite followed by a reading from the word of God.

The priest may lead all present in a litany for the sick person. Then he says a prayer of thanksgiving over oil which has been previously blessed or he may bless the oil himself.

Prayer over Blessed Oil
Praise to you, God, the almighty Father.
You sent your Son to live among us
and bring us salvation.

R/ Blessed by God who heals us in Christ.

Praise to you, God, the only-begotten Son. You humbled yourself to share in our humanity and you heal our infirmities.

R/ Blessed by God who heals us in Christ.

Praise to you, God, the Holy Spirit, the Consoler.
Your unfailing power gives us strength 
in our bodily weakness.

R/ Blessed be God who heals us in Christ.

God of mercy,
ease the suffereings and comfort the weakness of 
your servant (Name),
whom the Chrurch anoints with this holy oil.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R/ Amen.

Laying on of Hands
The priest lays his hands on the sick person in silence.

Anointing
The priest anoints the sick person with the blessed oil.

He anoints the forehead, saying:

Through this holy anointing 
may the Lord in his love and mercy help you
with the grace of the Holy Spirit.

R/ Amen.

This is followed by an appropriate prayer and holy Cummunion, if the sick person is able to receive.