Anointing of the Sick

The term “Extreme Unction” is an older term used in the Catholic Church to refer to the sacrament now commonly known as the Anointing of the Sick. The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered to those who are seriously ill or facing a significant medical procedure or declining health due to old age. It is considered one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, alongside Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. The Anointing of the Sick is based on the biblical instruction found in the Letter of James, which states, “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” (James 5:14). The sacrament is rooted in the belief that Christ offers healing and comfort to the sick, both physically and spiritually.