What are the effects of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and why is it important for the community?  The Church tells us that we receive special graces from this Sacrament that unites the sick person to the passion of Christ not only for his or her own good but for the good of the whole Church; it also gives the sick person the strength, peace, and courage to endure the sufferings of illness or old age.  And, in a very real sense, the Sacrament has a very important community dimension.  In any illness, particularly ones that are serious we should never have to stand alone.  We should not have to face infirmity without the consolations of others.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that this Sacrament is a liturgical and communal celebration, whether it takes place in a family home, a hospital or church, for a single ick person or a whole group of sick persons” (CCC, no. 1517). To stand in solidarity with those who are sick among us builds up the faith of the community itself. 

The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament.  This Sacrament may be repeated many times throughout a person’s life.  It can take place throughout the phases of a particular illness or for different illnesses and reasons.  One time to celebrate this Sacrament would be before surgery when a serious illness is the reason.  Also, the elderly may be anointed if they are in a weak condition, even though no dangerous illness is present.

There has been a lingering confusion regarding our understanding of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.  In the past, this was thought of as the last sacrament to be received by a person in danger of death from sickness or old age, it was often only celebrated on a person’s deathbed. Now, however, the Church encourages the faithful to take advantage of this Sacrament whenever special grace is needed to cope with infirmity or illness

Jesus came to heal the whole person, body and soul and the Gospels tell us of many occasions when Jesus not only forgave sins but also healed the sick.  Sometimes he simply spoke some words to accomplish a healing, but often he touched the afflicted person to bring about the cure.  One way that the Church continues Jesus’s ministry of healing is through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.  St. James describes its celebration in apostolic times:  “Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters [priests] of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] wit oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.” (James 5:14-15).