14.2: The Sacrament of the Sick

Read James 5:14-15 and Mark 6:13

These passages show that the very first Christians anointed the sick, and the Catholic Church follows this ancient practice by a priest rubbing olive oil on those who are sick.

Nowadays, the Sacrament of the Sick is given to people who are seriously ill or have an illness which could be life threatening, are actually in danger of dying, or who have a long term illness. It is administered by a priest. The sacrament is usually associated with other sacraments. The patient’s confession may be heard. Holy communion will be given. For the dying this is given the name Holy Viaticum, viaticum meaning food for the journey, obviously the journey into death. The patient will be anointed on their forehead and hands. Oil is traditionally associated with strength, so it is a sign that the patient is being given strength for the journey. An unconscious person may be given this sacrament, but obviously there is no confession in this case. However, the Church believes that in this case the sacrament forgives the person’s sins, as long as they were truly repentant.

The approach of death can be a difficult time for the dying person and their relatives. This sacrament is intended to help the patient die happily in the love of God with all their sins forgiven. For Christians death is not the end of life but the beginning of the next, so it is important to go into death as well prepared as possible. We try to use our lives to grow in the love of God, and death is the point where this process finishes. It is important to die in the right way.

Many Christians on learning that they are dying like to put things right with their enemies or people with whom they have had a bad relationship. Why do they do this?

Task RC 2

When we talk about death some people say we are morbid and shouldn’t talk about it. Others say that we have to talk about death as it will come to us all. What do you think?

What fears might pass through a dying person’s mind? How might the sacrament of the sick help people deal with them?