Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick

Fr. Jeff's homely on Oct 25, 2013

Today, I would like to briefly talk to you about
the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

First, who can receive the sacrament of the anointing of the sick?
Any Catholic can receive the sacrament. 

Can a fallen away Catholic receive the sacrament?

Yes, if the fallen away Catholic desires the sacrament.
Or if the fallen away Catholic is unconscious but a family member believes that they would want the sacrament,
then the priest can administer it.

Next, when should a person receive the sacrament?

As you may know,
the sacrament used to be called extramunction or last rights.

And I think a lot of people have it in their mind
that since it used to be called ‘last rights’,
that they should wait until ‘the last minute’
to call the priest for the sacrament. 

Unfortunately, sometimes the family waits
until the very end before calling the priest for the sacrament.

The family should not wait for the last moment for a few reasons,
including the fact that the priest might not be available
right at that moment. 

And also because of the fact that the Sacraments are for the living, 
if the person has already passed away,
the priest cannot administer the sacrament,
although we do say the prayers for the dead. 

Here are some scenarios in regards to who and when
a person should receive the sacrament

1) First, when a person has a serious illness, or,
as soon as a person begins to be in danger of death because of sickness.

2) Second, an elderly person may be anointed
if they have become notably weakened,
even though no serious illness is present.

3) Third, a person can be anointed before surgery
whenever a serious illness is the reason for surgery.

4)  The sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers after being anointed and then falls ill again,
OR if during the same illness the persons condition becomes more serious                                                  

However, for this last scenario,
please remember that the grace of the sacrament does not go away unless the person commits a grave sin.

So, for example,
lets say a person has a serious illness and/or is in danger of death,
and the priest goes out to the hospital and anoints the person. 
And then several days later, the person is actively dying.

Unless the person has committed a grave sin, a mortal sin,
which it is hard to imagine a person who is that sick committing
a grave sin since they received the sacrament several days earlier, then they do not need to be anointed again. 

Now, if the person is conscious and lucid enough,
then the priest should recommend that the person
should go to Confession and also receive Holy Communion,
along with receiving the sacrament of anointing. 

So, they would first receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, then be given Holy Communion,
which is called Viaticum if the person is dying,
and then be given the Sacrament of Anointing. 

Next, how is the sacrament celebrated?

It’s celebrated through the anointing with oil
on the forehead and the hands,
accompanied by the prayer of the priest,
who asks for the special grace of the sacrament.

Next, what are the effects of the sacrament?

a)  First, if the person is not able to go to confession,
then forgiveness of their sins in included
in the sacrament of anointing of the sick.

b)  Second, if it is the will of God,
the sacrament brings about the restoration of physical health.

c)  Third, the person is strengthened against the temptations
of the evil one and against anxiety in regards to their death. 

d)  Fourth, the person receives special graces
which unites them more intimately to the Passion of Christ
for their own good, and for the good of the Church

e)  Fifth, the sacrament gives comfort, peace, courage

f)  And last but not least: the sacrament prepares the sick person for the journey to the Heavenly Father’s house

One more thing, when a person is in danger of death
and the priest administers the sacrament of anointing of the sick,
the priest can also give an Apostolic Pardon:

An Apostolic Pardon is an indulgence given
for the remission of temporal punishment due to sin
when a person is in danger of death.

The person recieves a parital or plenary indulgence,
depending on any attachment to sin.

So, as you can see,
the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
is an important and powerful and grace-filled sacrament.

What is Viaticum?

The Holy Eucharist received by those who are about to leave this earthly life and are preparing for the journey to eternal life.

Should the sick person receive all 3 sacraments of confession, anointing and the Eucharist as Viacticum?

If they are able, then yes absolutely.

We need to remember that those who are seriously ill,
need the special help of God’s grace in their time of anxiety.