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Basic
Catholic Q and A's
The numbers in parenthese that
follow the questions refer to related paragraphs in the Catechism
of the Catholic Church.
Anointing of the Sick
1. What is the Anointing
of the Sick?
2. Who acts for Jesus in the Anointing of the
Sick?
3. What makes up the sign of the Anointing of
the Sick?
4. How is the Anointing of the Sick given?
5. What is the blessed oil that is used in Anointing?
6. What do the words of the sacrament of Anointing signify?
7. What does this sacrament do for a person?
8. Why are not all those who are anointed physically
healed?
9. Who may receive the Anointing of the Sick?
10. Where is the sacrament of the Anointing received?
11. What is necessary to receive this sacrament
worthily?
12. Can this sacrament be received more than once?
13. What are the last sacraments?
14. How does one prepare for a "sick call"?
1. What is the Anointing of the Sick?
The Anointing of the Sick is the sacrament by which Christ comforts
and strengthens those who are dangerously ill due to sickness, injury,
or old age. (1499, 1511, 1520)
They drove out
many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them
(Mk 6:13).
2. Who acts for Jesus in the
Anointing of the Sick?
The priest acts for Jesus in the Anointing of the Sick. (1516)
Is anyone among
you sick? He should call the elders of the church, and have them pray
over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord-prayer rooted
in faith will save whoever is ill and the Lord will raise him up,
and even if he has sinned the Lord will forgive him (Jas 5:14-15).
3. What makes up the sign of
the Anointing of the Sick?
The sign of the Anointing of the Sick is made up of anointing
and words. (1518-1519)
4. How is the Anointing of the
Sick given?
The Anointing of the Sick is given by the priest who anoints the
sick person on the forehead and hands, saying the appropriate prayers.
(1513)
5. What is the blessed oil that
is used in Anointing?
The blessed oil that is used in Anointing is called the oil of
the sick. It stands for healing-chiefly spiritual healing, but also
physical healing. (1513)
6. What do the words of the sacrament
of Anointing signify?
The words of the sacrament of Anointing signify that
we are asking the Lord to give his strength, healing and grace. The
priest says: "Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his
love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the
Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up." (1513)
I am the Lord,
your healer (Ex 15:26).
7. What does this sacrament do
for a person?
Through this sacrament, the Holy Spirit strengthens the sick
person to deal with the difficulties of illness. The sacrament forgives
sins and sometimes can result in physical healing. The sick person
is united with Christ's passion, so that the sufferings borne take
on new meaning. This spiritually benefits the whole Church. Finally,
for those who are approaching death, Anointing prepares them for this
final journey. (1520-1523)
I rejoice in
what I am suffering for you now; in my flesh I am completing what
is lacking in Christ's afflictions on behalf of his body, that is,
the church (Col 1:24).
8. Why are not all those who
are anointed physically healed?
The sacrament of the Anointing is a sacrament of preparation,
of consolation, of compassion, of inner healing. Through this anointing
the Lord wants to strengthen the sick, to redeem their sufferings
and to prepare them for the final resurrection. Sometimes this sacrament
may lead to physical healing, but if not, the sick are still strengthened
in Christ. (1518-1519)
If we have died
with him we will also live with him; if we endure we will also reign
with him (2 Tm 2:11-12).
9. Who may receive the Anointing
of the Sick?
Any baptized Catholic who is dangerously ill due to sickness,
injury, or old age may receive the Anointing of the Sick, even though
there is no apparent danger of death. The sacrament should be received
when the sick person is best able to profit from it, and not be delayed
until the person is at the point of death. Sick children, too, may
receive this sacrament if they are old enough to be comforted by it.
It can even be given to someone who is unconscious. The elderly who
are in a weakened condition are also encouraged by the Church to receive
Anointing, even though no dangerous illness is present. (1514)
10. Where is the sacrament of
the Anointing received?
The sacrament of the Anointing is often received at home or in
a hospital. It may also be received during a Mass in which there is
a communal celebration of the sacrament. (1517)
11. What is necessary to receive
this sacrament worthily?
To receive this sacrament worthily, one should be in the state
of grace. For this reason it is customary to receive the sacrament
of Penance first unless one is unconscious. (1517)
12. Can this sacrament be received
more than once?
Yes, the sacrament of the Anointing can be received more than
once even during the same illness if the sick person's condition worsens.
This holds also for the elderly who gradually weaken. One should also
receive it before a serious operation. (1515)
13. What are the last sacraments?
The last sacraments are those received by a person who is seriously
ill. They include Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, and Viaticum
(Holy Eucharist). Together these three are the sacraments for the
final journey, for the end of our "earthly pilgrimage." (1517, 1525)
Whoever feeds on my flesh
and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the
last day... (Jn 6:54).
14. How does one prepare for
a "sick call"?
Cover a small table with a white cloth. If possible, the table
should be prepared near the bed so as to be within sight of the sick
person. Candles should be provided, as well as holy water where customary.
When the priest enters the house, he gives everyone
a greeting of peace and then places the Blessed Sacrament on the table.
If sacramental confession is not part of the rite or if others are
to receive Communion along with the sick person, the priest invites
them to join in a penitential rite. A text from Scripture may then
be read by one of those present or by the priest, who may then explain
the text. The Lord's Prayer follows; then the priest distributes Holy
Communion while a period of sacred silence is observed. A concluding
prayer and a blessing complete the Rite of Communion of the Sick.
The sacrament of the Anointing may be given at this time also.
At times deacons or Eucharistic ministers may visit
the sick. Although they cannot celebrate the sacraments of Penance
or Anointing, they can distribute Holy Communion.
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