When Jesus walked the earth, he healed the sick. He touched lepers. He gave sight to the blind. He raised the dead. These weren't publicity stunts—they were signs of the Kingdom breaking in. They showed what God intends for his creation: wholeness, not brokenness. Life, not death.
The Church continues this ministry through the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
What happens in the sacrament?
The priest anoints the sick person's forehead and hands with the Oil of the Sick—olive oil blessed by the bishop at the Chrism Mass each year. As he anoints, he prays:
"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."
The rite is simple. It can happen in a hospital room, a living room, or at the bedside in the middle of the night. What matters is that Christ, through the ministry of the priest, comes to meet the suffering person.
You don't have to be dying
This sacrament used to be called "Extreme Unction" or "Last Rites," and many people still think it's only for the final moments of life. That's a misunderstanding—and a costly one, because it leads people to wait too long.
The Church is clear: Anointing of the Sick is for anyone who is seriously ill. That includes:
- A dangerous illness or medical condition
- Upcoming surgery with significant risk
- The increasing frailty of old age
- A chronic condition that has become acute
You don't need to be on your deathbed. You don't need a terminal diagnosis. A "careful judgment about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient," as the rite says. When in doubt, call. Let the priest help you discern.
And if someone's condition worsens after being anointed, they can receive the sacrament again. It's not a one-time thing.
What does the sacrament do?
The hoped-for effect is healing—including physical healing, if that's God's will. Sometimes it happens. The Church doesn't promise it, but she doesn't rule it out either. God is sovereign, and the sacraments are not magic formulas that bind his hands.
But even when physical healing doesn't come, the sacrament brings spiritual healing:
- Peace and courage to face what lies ahead
- Strength to unite one's suffering with Christ's
- Forgiveness of sins, if the person is unable to receive Confession
- Preparation for death, if that's where the illness leads
Suffering is not meaningless for a Christian. Through Anointing, the sick person is drawn into the mystery of Christ's own suffering and given the grace to bear it with him.
Last Rites—what does that really mean?
"Last Rites" is the popular term for what the Church calls the Rites for the Dying—actually a set of sacraments given together when death is near:
- Confession (if the person is conscious and able)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Viaticum—a final reception of Holy Communion, food for the journey from this life to the next
Viaticum is especially important. The Eucharist given to a dying person is Christ himself, accompanying them through death into eternal life. The word means "provision for the journey."
If someone is dying and hasn't received the sacraments, all of this can be given at once. But it requires a priest—which is why you should call as soon as you realize death may be approaching. Don't wait until the person has lost consciousness or the final moments are upon you.
Don't wait
This is worth repeating: don't wait.
Families sometimes hesitate to call a priest because they don't want to "scare" the dying person, or because they're not sure it's "time yet," or because they don't want to bother anyone. These instincts are understandable but misguided.
The sacraments are a gift. They bring grace precisely when it's most needed. A priest is never bothered by being called to anoint someone. This is the heart of his ministry.
If you think it might be time, it's time. Call.
The community's role
Serious illness can be isolating. The sick person is often cut off from the rhythms of parish life—unable to attend Mass, separated from the community. The Anointing of the Sick is a reminder that they haven't been forgotten.
The rest of us have a role too. We pray for the sick. We visit when we can. We bring Communion through the ministry of Extraordinary Ministers to the homebound. We let those who are suffering know they're still part of the Body.
And when someone we love is dying, we call the priest. That's not giving up—it's giving them what they need most.
