Anointing of the sick

Anointing of the Sick, formerly known as Extreme Unction, is a sacrament that is administered to give strength and comfort to the ill and to mystically unite their suffering with that of Christ during his Passion and death. This sacrament can be given to those who are afflicted with serious illness or injury, those who are awaiting surgery, the weakened elderly, or to ill children who are old enough to understand its significance. A person can receive the sacrament as many times as needed throughout their life, and a person with a chronic illness might be anointed again if the disease worsens. The rite can be performed in a home or hospital by a priest, who prays over the person and anoints their head and hands with chrism (holy oil). The priest may also administer the sacrament of the Eucharist if the person has been unable to receive it and can hear a confession if so desired. If a person is at the point of death, the priest also administers a special Apostolic blessing in what is known as the Last Rites.

Questions answered by Fr. Vincent Barboza on the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

Why Priest should be called as early as possible incase of a person who is critical or seriously ill?

Our Lord has made a provision for us in the last stage of our life on this earth and it is the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. When the doctors give up hope of saving the person or the person whom we love is fighting between life and death we should not delay in calling the Priest. This delay may cause the dying person whom we love from receiving the following graces:

THE UNITING OF THE SICK PERSON TO THE PASSION OF CHRIST
THE GRACE TO ENDURE THE SUFFERINGS OF ILLNESS OR OLD AGE
THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS
THE RESTORATION OF HEALTH
THE PREPARATION FOR PASSING OVER TO ETERNAL LIFE

Does God always heal?

God does not always heal the physical infirmities that afflict us. Paul preached to the Galatians while he was afflicted by a “bodily ailment” (Gal 4:13-14). He mentions about his companion Trophimus who is too sick to travel (2 Tim 4:20. Paul also urges his young protege to “no longer drink only water, but to use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments” (1 Tim 5:23)

Notice that Paul does not tell Timothy to pray harder and have more faith that God will heal him from his stomach ailment. Rather, he tells him how to manage the illness through medicinal means.

Neither do we believe that healing does not happen. It does happen but according to God’s will (Jas 4;14-15). Sometime he heals instantaneously and sometime slowly (Mk 8:22-26)