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ANOINTING OF
THE SICK
Fray John Louis S. Ricamora, OSA
BSN, RN, MN, SThB, MAT
University of San Agustin – Iloilo City
Theology Deparment
NATURE AND INSTITUTION
Christ’s compassion toward the sick was a sign
that “God has visited his people” (Luke 7:16). Jesus
“has borne our grief and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah
53:4). Still, he did not cure all the sick. His cures
announced a more radical healing: the victory of his
paschal mystery over sin and death.
For a Christian, the acceptance of death can be
considered an act of worship, adoration, and
reparation all at the same time. The Sacrament of the
Anointing of the Sick is, thus, in a way, a
consecration of death in which we identify
ourselves with Christ, who willed his own death in
atonement for our sins (Cf. CCC, 1500–1513).
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NATURE AND INSTITUTION
The Anointing of the Sick, or “Extreme Unction,” is a sacrament in which,
through the anointing with the blessed oil and the prayer of the priest, the
faithful who are capable of committing personal sins and who are seriously
ill receive health of soul and, at times, bodily health as well.
This sacrament, instituted by Christ like all the rest, was promulgated by
the apostle James (cf. James 5:14). We do not know the moment of its institution,
although it was announced at least partially when Christ sent his disciples by
pairs to preach and heal the sick, anointing them with oil (cf. Mark 6:7–13).

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THE MATTER AND FORM
o Proximate Matter: The anointing of the forehead and hands of the sick
person with oil, which is carried out by the priest.
o Remote Matter: The oil used for anointing, which has to be olive oil or,
when this is not available, another vegetable oil, and it is blessed by the bishop
for this purpose during the Chrism Mass of Holy Thursday; however, in case
of emergency, the priest may bless the oil immediately prior to the
administration of the sacrament (CIC, 999).
o Form: “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.”

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EFFECTS: DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Direct Effects:
o It unites the sick person to Christ’s Passion for his own good and the good of
the entire Church.
o It fills the sick person with peace by producing great confidence in the divine
mercy. It also gives more strength to resist the temptations of the devil, who
seems to double his efforts to bring a soul to damnation at this particular
moment. This confidence and strength, in turn, helps one to bear the
discomfort and pain that is brought about by the illness.
o When the sick person is properly disposed, it eliminates the traces left by sin,
and forgives all venial sins.
o It heals the body if such is advantageous to the salvation of the soul.
o It prepares the sick person to enter eternal life.

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EFFECTS: DIRECT AND INDIRECT
Indirect Effects:
The Anointing of the Sick also forgives mortal sins when the following
conditions are both met:
o It is doubtful whether the sick person can receive the Sacrament of Penance,
even conditionally (because, for example, the sick person was already
unconscious).
o The sick person had repented of his sins before losing consciousness, at least
in a general and implicit way.

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THE NECESSITY OF RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT
Although this sacrament is not necessary as a means for salvation, it is
not licit for anyone to scorn its reception. The obligation to receive it is
considered light in itself unless there is danger of grave scandal or a formal
contempt of the sacrament.

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THE MINISTER
“Every priest, but only a priest, can validly administer the anointing of the
sick.”(CIC, 1003; cf. CCC, 1516, 1530)

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THE SUBJECT
“The anointing of the sick can be administered to any member of the
faithful who, having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger by reason
of illness or old age.” (cf. CCC, 1514–1515, 1528–1529)
This sacrament can be repeated when one falls sick again or if one’s
condition deteriorates within the same sickness (Cf. CIC, 1004).

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THE CELEBRATION
As a sacrament, the Anointing of the Sick may be celebrated in a
community or in a liturgical manner within the family, in a hospital or in the
church, and for one sick person or for a group.
The present ritual allows several ways of administering the sacrament. The
usual way is to first hear the confession of the sick person and then anoint him
and give him the Viaticum (Cf. CCC, 1517–1525). In cases of urgent need or when the
person is unconscious, the anointing is performed immediately, although it is
advisable to absolve the person sub conditione first.
When there is doubt about whether the sick person is still alive, a
conditional anointing should be performed, saying first “If you are alive …”

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SOURCE
Moliné, Enrique. “The Sacraments.” In Faith Seeking Understanding Volume I.
Edited by Charles Belmonte. Philippines: Studium Theologiae Foundation,
Inc., 2006.

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ANOINTING OF
THE SICK
Fray John Louis S. Ricamora, OSA
BSN, RN, MN, SThB, MAT
University of San Agustin – Iloilo City
Theology Deparment