Our Lady and St Brigid Northfield

Sacrament of the Sick

The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is administered during periods of illness or when there is a change in the existing condition, and not only near the time of death - in order to bring the person receiving this sacrament, spiritual, emotional and physical strength.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:

This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by St. Mark, but is recommended to the faithful and promulgated (promoted or made widely known) by James the apostle and brother of the Lord.

— CCC 1511

It is designed to help the sick to be strengthened spiritually against temptation, discouragement and anxiety. These should be replaced by a sense of strength and peace.

The Catholic Church finds the basis for this sacrament in the New Testament because Jesus sent out his followers to preach and heal the sick.

In the New Testament St. James it says:

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. James 5:14-15

The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick does not promise healing, but rather assures the one receiving it of the Lord’s presence with them in the midst of change in the condition of their physical health. The Catechism says:

The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects: the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ ... the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age; the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of penance; the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul; the preparation for passing over to eternal life.

— CCC 1532

The Catholic Church does not believe that the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick replaces the need for medical care. Instead it recognises that, at times, suffering through sickness can have a purpose.

In the midst suffering from illness, Roman Catholics come to depend more fully on God and, through this sacrament, can feel closer to Him.