Anointing of the Sick

Shamans and medicine men and women have struggled with sickness and pain since the dawn of history.  Making use of such sacramentals as dance, chant, incense and masks, they bore witness to the power of evil.  The believed that the gods controlled health and sickness.

Jewish people were just as holistic in their attitude.  They confessed that healing was controlled by God (see Psalms 32,38,88,91).

Christians believe that Jesus did everything the prophets foretold in the messianic age.  He lavished healing on every kind of sickness and disability, even bringing the dead to life.  Often he would join to this healing a forgiveness of sin.

The Letter of James describes clearly the practice of physical and spiritual healing in early Christianity: "If one of you is ill, he should send for the elders of the Church, and they must anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord and pray over him.  The prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up again; and if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven" (see James 5:14-15).

Since the Vatican Council II changed the concept of "Last Rites" to the "Anointing of the Sick" in 1972.  The emphasis changed from receiving the anointing at the point of death, to receiving the anointing whenever one is sick and needs prayer.  Although still given as Last Rites, the more appropriate rite would be Viaticum(communion for the journey) saving the Anointing of the Sick for just that--the sick.

The Rite:  The priest visits a person who is ill and prays over them from the Letter of James.  Then lays his hands on them praying silently for healing(physical or spiritual).  Then taking consecrated oil by the bishop anoints the forehead with the words: "Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit."  Then he anoints the top of the sick person's hands saying: "May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up."

The only time this rite is changed is when a priest is being anointed on the hands, then his palms are anointed instead of the tops of his hands, since they have been consecrated by the bishop.

Next--Baptism