Anointing of the sick

Anointing of the sick is a Christian rite involving the anointing of a person who is ill or elderly with blessed oil, accompanied by prayer for physical healing, spiritual strength, and the forgiveness of sins. Recognized as a sacrament in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, and as a sacramental rite or pastoral practice in various Protestant denominations, it serves to comfort the afflicted, unite their suffering with the Passion of Christ, and prepare the soul for the transition from earthly life, should death be imminent.

Biblical Foundations and History

The practice of anointing the sick finds its primary scriptural basis in the Epistle 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. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven" (James 5:14-15). Early Christian communities adopted this practice, as evidenced by early Church Fathers and liturgical texts such as the Apostolic Tradition. Over the centuries in the Western Church, the rite became increasingly associated with the dying, eventually evolving into what was commonly known as "Extreme Unction" or the "Last Rites." The Second Vatican Council in the 1960s restored the broader understanding of the sacrament, emphasizing its applicability to any serious illness or the frailties of old age, rather than solely to those at the point of death.

Roman Catholic Practice

In the Catholic Church, the Anointing of the Sick is one of the seven sacraments. It is administered exclusively by a priest or bishop. The sacrament can be received by any baptized Catholic who has reached the age of reason and begins to be in danger of death due to sickness or old age. It is not limited to those who are actively dying; it may be repeated if the sick person recovers and later falls ill again, or if their condition worsens. During the rite, the priest lays hands on the sick person in silence, prays over them, and anoints their forehead and hands with the Oil of the Sick, which has been consecrated by a bishop. The sacrament is often administered alongside Penance (Confession) and the Eucharist (Viaticum), collectively referred to as the Last Rites when given to a dying person.

Eastern Orthodox Practice

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the sacrament is known as Holy Unction (or Euchelaion). It is deeply rooted in the tradition of the early Church and is administered for the healing of soul and body, as well as the forgiveness of sins. While it can be administered to an individual who is seriously ill, it is most commonly celebrated corporately. The ideal form of the service involves seven priests, symbolizing the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and the seven ecumenical councils, though it can be performed by three or even one priest if necessary. The rite includes the reading of seven Epistles, seven Gospels, and seven prayers, followed by the anointing of the forehead, nostrils, cheeks, lips, breast, and hands with oil mixed with wine. A special service of Holy Unction is traditionally held on Holy Wednesday during Holy Week, and it is open to all faithful, including those who are not currently ill, as a means of spiritual preparation and general healing.

Protestant Perspectives

Protestant views on the anointing of the sick vary widely, largely depending on their theological understanding of sacraments. In the Anglican Communion and some Lutheran churches, the rite is retained as a sacramental practice or a "lesser sacrament." The Book of Common Prayer includes rites for the visitation of the sick, which may include anointing with oil, viewed as a means of grace and pastoral care. In contrast, most Reformed, Baptist, and Evangelical traditions do not consider it a sacrament, as they typically recognize only Baptism and the Eucharist as instituted directly by Christ. However, many of these denominations still practice the anointing of the sick as an ordinance or a pastoral act of prayer, strictly following the biblical mandate in James 5, viewing it as a symbolic act of faith and a petition for God's healing power rather than a channel of sacramental grace.

Liturgy and Elements

The central element of the rite across traditions that practice it is the use of oil. In Catholic and Orthodox traditions, the oil used is typically olive oil, though other oils may be used in regions where olives are not native. In the Catholic Church, the Oil of the Sick is blessed by the bishop during the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, or by a priest at the time of the anointing in cases of necessity. The laying on of hands is another crucial component, signifying the invocation of the Holy Spirit and the transmission of blessing. The prayers accompanying the anointing focus on healing, comfort, and the remission of sins. In many traditions, the rite is conducted in the presence of family and community members, emphasizing the communal nature of Christian support during times of suffering.

Theological Significance and Effects

Theologically, the Anointing of the Sick addresses the holistic nature of human suffering, encompassing both physical and spiritual dimensions. It is understood to provide specific graces tailored to the needs of the sick. These graces include the strengthening of the soul against despair and temptation, the uniting of the individual's suffering with the redemptive suffering of Jesus Christ, and the restoration of physical health if it is conducive to the salvation of the soul. Furthermore, the sacrament prepares the individual for the final journey, offering peace and courage in the face of mortality. By participating in this rite, the sick person is also brought into closer communion with the wider Church, which intercedes on their behalf, reflecting the belief that the suffering of one member affects the entire body of Christ.