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Q:Please explain to me about "anointing of the sick."
Courtni (age 11)
Dear Courtni:
Anointing of the Sick is one of the Church's seven sacraments. Sometimes it is called the Sacrament of the Sick. Many years ago it was called Extreme Unction. The word unction means anointing.
When the priest anoints a sick person, he places holy oil on the person in the form of a cross, usually on the forehead and hands, though it can be done on any other part of the body, especially if that part needs healing. As he does this, the priest says the following prayer:
"Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. Amen." (Forehead)
"May the Lord who frees you from sin, save you and raise you up. Amen" (Hands)
Like all the sacraments, the Anointing of the Sick has certain outward signs which we can see and hear. In Anointing, these signs are the blessed oil and the prayer of the priest. The outward signs tell us about something which is happening to us inside, in our soul, something that we cannot see. More than that, these signs are what are called 'effective' signs: that is, they not only tell us about what is happening in our soul, but they actually work to bring it about. The blessed oil is a sign of the strengthening that comes to the sick person through the sacrament, described in the priest's words as "the grace of the Holy Spirit."
Grace is a special gift which God gives us. It is God's own life acting on our soul, through which he lives in us and we live in him. In the Anointing of the Sick, the grace of the sacrament helps the person deal with the difficulties of being sick or being very old and weak. It helps to bring the person peace and courage. Sometimes the sacrament will also have a healing effect on the body.
Where possible, the priest will first administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), and after the Anointing, give the person Holy Communion.
It is good that you want to know more about your religion, Courtni.
God bless,
Father Norbert