Anointing of the Sick

Holy Anointing is truly a Sacrament of healing in body and soul. In His time walking among us, Jesus not only taught, but He healed and forgave the sins of many. Early on, He sent the Apostles out. “They anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them” (St. Mark 6:7-13). Later, as the Christian community grew, St. James would instruct in his Epistle, “Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters 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 committed any sins, he will be forgiven” (St. James 5:14-15).

This Sacrament is called many things including the Sacrament of Healing and the Sacrament of the Sick. Sometimes, one may hear it called “Extreme Unction” (Last Anointing), which was its name in recent history.  It is no longer only for those in extreme danger of death, but can be received before surgery to ask the Lord for healing.