Every Holy Thursday at the Chrism Mass, in every
diocese of the world, the bishop, together with his priests
assembled consecrates the sacred oils – the oil of
Catechumens, the Sacred Chrism, and the oil of the Infirm.
The first two are used in baptism. The Chrism is
additionally used in Confirmation and Ordination. The last,
the oil of the Infirm, is used in Anointing of the Sick. Most
priests have, and carry with them a small metal container
with cotton soaked in the oil of the Infirm should they need
it for the Sacrament. In an emergency, when he has no
such consecrated oil, the priest may consecrate the
needed oil himself. (Canon 999.2).
Many people refer – rather inaccurately – to the
Sacrament of Anointing as the Last Rites. In fact, the Last
Rites are a bit more: Confession, Anointing and Viaticum
(which is Communion received just before dying).
Ideally the Sacrament of Anointing should be
administered within the context of Mass with the recipient
first having made a Confession. This is rarely practical and
often simply not possible. Frequently the priest is only
called once the recipient is actually at the point of death
and usually already unconscious.
The effects of the Sacrament are several. First, it
conforms and unites the recipient to the Passion and Death
of our Lord Jesus Christ. Second, it strengthens the
recipient with the Holy Spirit granting them courage and
peace of soul. In some cases, if it is beneficial to the
salvation of the recipient, the Sacrament may actually
effect a physical healing. (Every priest with experience in
the Sacrament has witnessed wondrous turn-a-rounds in
“hopeless” or near hopeless cases).
Finally, the
Sacrament also forgives sins – even if a Confession has
not been made just before the anointing. For this reason
only Presbyters, that is priests and bishops, may anoint.
The Sacrament does have its roots in Sacred Scripture.
In Matthew 10:8 our Lord enjoins the twelve Apostles,
“Heal the sick . . .” In Mark 6:12 we read of the Twelve:
“And they cast out demons, and anointed with oil many that
were sick and healed them.” In the Epistle of St. James
5:14-15) we read: “Is any among you sick? Let him call for
the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him,
anointing him with oil in the Names of the Lord, and the
prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise
him up and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”
In order to receive the Sacrament of Anointing, one must
be seriously ill. Once received, the sick person may be
anointed yet again if the condition worsens. If one is about
to undergo a serious operation they may be anointed
beforehand. In such a case they should make a confession
and receive Communion as well if this is possible.
A child who has not yet reached the age of reason is not
anointed. If one is in doubt, as to that, the child may be
anointed. A dead person is not anointed, but again if there
is doubt one may anoint conditionally. (My own practice is
that if a person is declared dead, but is still warm, I will
anoint).
The Sacrament is administered as the priest, in silence,
lays his hands on the recipient; this is the epiclesis, or