A better understanding on the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

There have been some 'talk' on the Sacrament of the Sick lately at the small town I'm currently staying. Gathering from the discussions I hear, many people have actually misinterpreted and misunderstood this beautiful sacrament of spiritual and physical healing.

In the early middle ages this sacrament was administered to people who were not likely to recover from their sickness and eventually this became known as the sacrament for the dying which were likely called; last anointing or extreme unction (extrema unctio). Many people in this modern times still keep the above idea of extreme unction. I have seen this a couple of times when I follow priests when they go to administer the sacrament of anointing and the sick person or even the family members will decline to be anointed. Catholics still dreaded to ask for a priest to anoint themselves or their loved ones, since it was a sign that they had given up all hope of recovery and in the imminent danger of death.

So my dear friends if you are in the above group of people, this posts if especially for you. Now let us see one of the many text from scripture that explains this Sacrament of Anointing. James 5:14-15 - "Are any among you sick? They should call for the presbyters of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed any sins will be forgiven". The words that to be noted from the text is: Save, Raise them up, Forgiven. Now this three words clearly shows that it was not meant only for the dying but also 'spells out' HOPE for the sick.

Now how do we define who receives this sacrament for the 'sick'? I'm having a headache or a flu, so am I eligible to receive this sacrament? Definitely a sound mind and common sense can give an answer but nevertheless lets see what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say on this; 'The Apostolic Constitution Sacram unctionem infirmorum, following upon the Second Vatican Council, established that henceforth, in the Roman Rite, the following be observed: The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given to those who are seriously ill...'(CCC.1513).

'The Anointing of the Sick is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived.' (CCC.1514).

'If a sick person who received this anointing recovers his health, he can in the case of another grave illness receive this sacrament again. If during the same illness the person's condition becomes more serious, the sacrament may be repeated. It is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to a serious operation. The same holds for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced. (CCC.1515).

So who can administer this Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick? It is ONLY the priests. Now in addition to the Anointing, the Church offers those who are about to leave this life the Eucharist as viaticum. Communion in the body and blood of Christ, received at this moment of 'passing over' to the Father. Now a deacon can administer the viaticum; a latin word which means 'provisions or food for the journey' and any commissioned Extra-Ordinary Ministers can distribute communion to the sick.

Please read the CCC.1499-1532 for more better understanding.