The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
As a medical student, you may at one time or another encounter a priest performing the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick for a patient, or maybe someday you might have the chance to request a priest to administer this Sacrament to one of your patients. Unlike the other sacraments such as the Eucharist or Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick is not as frequently experienced by an ordinary Catholic. Here's a brief explanation of the Sacrament so you may better understand and appreciate it. Most of the answers are quoted from the Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC] and the Code of Canon Law [CL].
How is Anointing of the Sick a sacrament?
Tradition has recognized in this rite one of the seven sacraments. [CCC, 1510] Additionally, this sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded to indeed by Mark, but is recommended to the faithful and promulgated by James the apostle. [CCC, par. 1511] Mark 6:13: "And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them." This verse is in reference to the Twelve Apostles whom Jesus had commissioned early in his ministry. James 5:14-15 is often quoted regarding the practice of anointing the sick: "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 name of the Lord; and the prayer of the faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."
Who can minister the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?
Only a priest can validly administer the Sacrament [CL 1003]. However, deacons and non-ordained pastoral workers can use blessed oil in praying for and blessing the sick - in this case, this act is a sacramental and not the Sacrament.
Who can receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?
"The anointing of the sick can be administered to any member of the faithful who, having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger by reason of illness or old age" [CL 1004]. Hence, it is given to those who are validly baptized, have attained the use of reason, and are seriously impaired because of old age or illness. A person who once had the use of reason and subsequently lost it can validly receive anointing of the sick, for example patients with Alzheimer disease. Other examples include those who are about to undergo surgery, and elderly people who become notably weakened even though no serious illness is present.
Can the Sacrament ever not be given to someone who asks for it?
Canon Law gives conditions for administering the sacrament. If a patient asks for Anointing of the Sick, it is best to refer the patient to a priest and allow them confidential time and space to talk about this sacrament and others which may be beneficial for the patient.
< c e n t e r >
< P > W r i t t e n b y Joseph Sia, MD
< B R > S t . M a r y ¹ s o f L a k e U n i v e r s i t y
< / c e n t e r >
< c e n t e r >
< P > < B > < A H R E F = " C M S A _ N e w s l e t t e r _ R e q u e s t . h t m l " > S i g n u p t o r e c e i v e t h e C a t h o l i c M e d i c a l S t u d e n t s ' A s s o c i a t i o n N e w s l e t t e r . < / a > < / B >
< P > T h i s p u b l i c a t i o n i s p r o v i d e d f r e e o f c o s t o r o b l i g a t i o n . < B R >
< / c e n t e r >
< B R >
< / t r > < / t d >
< / t a b l e >
< ! - - - - - - - - - - - - - B O T T O M - - - - - - - - - - - - - >
< c e n t e r >
< t a b l e w i d t h = 5 7 5 a l i g n = c e n t e r >
< t r >
< t d c o l s p a n = 3 a l i g n = c e n t e r >
< h r s i z e = 1 n o s h a d e >
< / t d >
< / t r >
< t r >
< t d w i d t h = 2 0 >
< / t d >
< t d a l i g n = l e f t >
< f o n t f a c e = " a r i a l " c o l o r = 9 A 2 A 3 1 > < s p a n s t y l e = " f o n t - s i z e : 1 2 " >
< B >
C a t h o l i c M e d i c a l S t u d e n t s A s s o c i a t i o n < b r >
P . O . B o x 2 1 4 < b r >
O a k P a r k , I l l i n o i s 6 0 6 0 3 < b r >
< b r >
< / B >
< / t d >
< t d a l i g n = r i g h t >
< f o n t f a c e = " a r i a l " c o l o r = 9 A 2 A 3 1 > < s p a n s t y l e = " f o n t - s i z e : 1 2 " >
< B >
T e l : ( 3 1 2 ) 9 4 8 - 2 5 0 6 < b r >
F A X : ( 3 1 2 ) 9 4 8 - 2 5 0 9 < b r >
E - M a i l : i n f o @ c a t h m s a . o r g
< / B >
< b r > < b r >
< / t d >
< / t r >
< t r >
< t d w i d t h = 2 0 >
< / t d >
< t d c o l s p a n = 2 > < c e n t e r >
< f o n t f a c e = " a r i a l " c o l o r = 9 A 2 A 3 1 > < s p a n s t y l e = " f o n t - s i z e : 1 1 " >
< B >
< c e n t e r > < s p a n s t y l e = " f o n t - s i z e : 1 0 " > C o p y r i g h t © 2 0 0 7 < a h r e f = " m a i l t o : i n f o @ c a t h m s a . o r g " > C a t h o l i c M e d i c a l S t u d e n t s A s s o c i a t i o n < / a > . A l l r i g h t s r e s e r v e d . < / f o n t > < b r > < / t d >
< / B >
< / t r >
< / t a b l e >
< / c e n t e r >
< ! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - >
< / t d >
< / t r >
< / t a b l e >
< / t d >
< / t r >
< / t a b l e >
< / t d >
< / t r >
< / t a b l e >
< / b o d y >
< / h t m l >
