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Chapter 19. Anointing the Sick and the Dying • 257
FOR DISCUSSION
1. How would you describe your reaction to illnesses you have had?
What do you expect of caregivers? How have you been moved to
pray and seek the spiritual resources of the Church?
2. If you have been present at the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick,
what were your impressions? Why is it important to be aware of the
proper time to call the priest?
3. From a faith perspective, what value does an experience of illness
have for an individual and for the parish community to which he or
she belongs? Why is it important to acknowledge and incorporate
those who are sick and dying into the faith community?
DOCTRINAL STATEMENTS
• “Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters
[priests] of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint
[him] with 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 com-
mitted any sins, he will be forgiven” (Jas 5:14-15).
• The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is for those who are seri-
ously ill or in danger of death or suffering the difficulties of old age.
The Sacrament may be received each time the believer falls seriously
ill or an illness worsens (cf. CCC, no. 1529).
• Only priests and bishops may administer the Sacrament of the
Anointing of the Sick. This is because one effect of this Sacrament
can be the forgiveness of sin. They use Oil of the Sick blessed by the
bishop or, in necessity, an oil blessed by the priest.
• The rite of the Anointing of the Sick includes the anointing of the
forehead and hands of the sick or other parts of the body accompa-
nied by the liturgical prayer that asks for the grace of the Sacrament.
• The gifts of this Sacrament include uniting the sick person with
Christ’s Passion, for the person’s well-being and that of the Church;
strength to endure patiently the sufferings of illness and old age; the