Anointing of Sick

The Anointing of the Sick "is not only for those who are at the point of death. As soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for them to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived"
(Catechism of the Catholic Church 1514)

Receiving the Sacrament...

When we are unwell or elderly, we often feel alone and frightened. Things which seemed important often matter much less. God comes to be with us in our struggles, loving and comforting us and promising eternal life.


"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 she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the passion and death of Christ"

( Catechism of the Catholic Church  1499).

More on the Anointing of the Sick...

"The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects:
  • the uniting of the sick person to the Passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the Church;
  • the strengthening, peace and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age;
  • the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Reconciliation;
  • the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the savaltion of his soul;
  • the preparation for passing over to eternal life
(Catechism of the Catholic Church 1532).