The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, often referred to as Extreme Unction or Last Rites, is a ritual of healing appropriate not only for those in immediate danger of death but also for those suffering from physical, mental, or spiritual sickness. Jesus Christ establishes this sacrament through his ministry healing the sick, and entrusting His disciples that they also do it (Mark 6:12-13).
This is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived (CCC 1514). If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can in the case grave illness receive this sacrament again. It is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to a serious operation. The same holds for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced (CCC 1515).
Like all the sacraments the Anointing of the Sick is a liturgical and communal celebration, whether it takes place in the family home, a hospital or church, for a single sick person or a whole group of sick persons. It is very fitting to celebrate it within the Eucharist, the memorial of the Lord’s Passover. If circumstances suggest it, the celebration of the sacrament can be preceded by the sacrament of Penance and followed by the sacrament of the Eucharist. As the sacrament of Christ’s Passover the Eucharist should always be the last sacrament of the earthly journey, the “viaticum” for “passing over” to eternal life (CCC 1517).
The celebration of the sacrament includes the following principal elements: the “priests of the Church” —in silence— lay hands on the sick; they pray over them in the faith of the Church (James 5:14-15), this is the epiclesis proper to this sacrament; they then anoint them with oil blessed, if possible, by the bishop. These liturgical actions indicate what grace this sacrament confers upon the sick (CCC 1519).
The first grace of this sacrament is one of strengthening, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of serious illness or the frailty of old age. This grace is a gift of the Holy Spirit, who renews trust and faith in God and strengthens against the temptations of the evil one, the temptation to discouragement and anguish in the face of death (Hebrews 2:15). This assistance from the Lord by the power of his Spirit is meant to lead the sick person to healing of the soul, but also of the body if such is God’s will. Furthermore, “if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (CCC 1520).
Let us go without fear to receive this sacrament when we are sick, or already advanced in age, let us entrust ourselves to our Lord Jesus Christ before any major surgery and let us unite ourselves with the suffering and glorified Lord to relieve us and save us, let us surrender our suffering to join the Passion and Death of Christ; and thus contribute to the good of the People of God (CCC 1499)