Cecily Zamora
According to Canon Law, only a priest or bishop can administer the sacrament of anointing of the sick. The recipient must be a baptised member of the Christian faithful who has reached the age of reason and is in danger due to sickness or old age. Anointing of the sick is not the same as the last rites, and it can be given more than once, especially if the illness worsens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can administer the sacrament | Only priests or bishops can administer the sacrament of anointing of the sick |
| Who can receive the sacrament | Baptized members of the Christian faithful who have reached the age of reason and are in danger due to sickness or old age |
| Who cannot receive the sacrament | Those who obstinately persist in a manifestly grave sin |
| When can it be administered | During periods of illness, when a person is dying, or when illness worsens |
| What does it involve | Anointing with "Oil of the Sick" (oleum infirmorum), a holy oil consecrated by the Bishop at the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday |
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What You'll Learn
Baptised members of the Christian faithful who are sick or old
According to Canon Law, baptised members of the Christian faithful who are sick or old can receive the sacrament of anointing. This sacrament is intended to strengthen and forgive sins. It is reserved for those who have reached the age of reason, which is typically understood as the age at which a person can understand the grace of the sacrament and receive its consolation.
The sacrament of anointing is not just for those who are dying or very ill, but for anyone facing challenges due to sickness or old age. For example, the elderly can be anointed when the frailties of age or dementia begin to affect their health. In such cases, the sacrament can provide spiritual strength and comfort.
To receive the sacrament, the individual must make a request. This is usually done by the person themselves, but in cases where they are unable, a family member or friend can make the request on their behalf. The priest may also summon the presbyters of the church to pray over and anoint the person.
It is important to note that the sacrament of anointing should not be conferred upon those who persist in grave sin. The oil used in the anointing, known as the "Oil of the Sick," is consecrated by the bishop and plays a significant role in the ritual.
While the sacrament is typically associated with physical healing, it can also be administered to provide spiritual strength during challenging times. It is repeatable, and individuals can request it multiple times if their illness worsens or if they relapse after recovering their health.
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Those who ask for the sacrament
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is reserved for those who ask for it. According to Canon Law, a person must ask for the sacrament, and if the attending priest explains things clearly and compassionately, the person will usually want to receive it. This is provided for in the Code of Canon Law, which states:
> "If there is a danger of death... Catholic ministers may lawfully administer these same sacraments [penance, Eucharist, anointing of the sick] to other Christians not in full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who spontaneously ask for them, provided that they demonstrate the Catholic faith in respect of these sacraments and are properly disposed."
The Anointing of the Sick is not the same as the Last Rites, and it can be given more than once, especially if the person's condition worsens. The elderly can also be anointed when the frailties of age or conditions like dementia begin to take their toll.
The sacrament is intended to strengthen and bring spiritual consolation to the recipient, as well as to forgive sins. For this reason, its celebration is reserved for priests and bishops, who are constituted in any grade of holy orders. According to the Council of Trent, "any priest is the minister of the sacrament." This is regulated in Canon 1003.1, Pastoral Care of the Sick 16, and Canon 739 of the Code of Canons for the Eastern Churches.
The Code of Canon Law also specifies that the sacrament is for those "having reached the use of reason" (Canon 1004.1). Children under the age of reason are not considered capable of sin and are therefore not eligible for the sacrament. However, it is still appropriate to gather family and friends for shared prayer in such cases.
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Those who are not in full communion with the Catholic Church
According to Canon Law, those who are "not in full communion with the Catholic Church" may still receive the Anointing of the Sick under certain conditions. The Code of Canon Law states:
> "If there is a danger of death [...] Catholic ministers may lawfully administer these same sacraments [penance, Eucharist, anointing of the sick] to other Christians not in full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who spontaneously ask for them, provided that they demonstrate the Catholic faith in respect of these sacraments and are properly disposed."
Thus, individuals who are not in full communion with the Catholic Church can receive the Anointing of the Sick if they are in danger of death and unable to reach a minister from their own community. They must also spontaneously request the sacrament, demonstrate their faith in the sacrament, and be "properly disposed".
The Anointing of the Sick is not restricted to those on the verge of death or gravely ill; it is also for those whose health is beginning to deteriorate due to sickness or old age. The sacrament is intended to strengthen and bring spiritual strength to those who are sick. It can be administered multiple times, especially if the person's condition worsens or they relapse after recovering their health.
The Anointing of the Sick is not for those who "obstinately persist in a manifestly grave sin". Children below the "age of reason" are also excluded, as they are not considered capable of sin or understanding the sacrament's grace. The "age of reason" is generally understood to be the age at which a person can distinguish between right and wrong and is considered to have been reached by the time a child is seven years old.
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Baptised non-Catholic Christians
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is administered to bring spiritual strength to those who are sick or elderly. It is also intended to forgive sins. According to Canon Law, baptised non-Catholic Christians can receive the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick in certain circumstances.
Canon Law states that "if there is a danger of death, Catholic ministers may lawfully administer these sacraments [penance, Eucharist, anointing of the sick] to other Christians not in full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who spontaneously ask for them, provided that they demonstrate the Catholic faith in respect of these sacraments and are properly disposed". This means that baptised non-Catholic Christians can receive the sacrament if they are in danger due to sickness or old age, and if they spontaneously request it. They must also demonstrate a respect for the sacrament and be properly disposed to receive it.
The Code of Canon Law also specifies that the recipient must have "reached the use of reason". Children under the age of reason cannot be anointed because they are not considered capable of understanding the sacrament or the grace it confers. However, it is still appropriate to gather the family and friends of a sick child for shared prayer.
The Anointing of the Sick is not the same as the Last Rites, and a person may be anointed more than once if their illness worsens or they relapse after recovering their health. The elderly can also be anointed multiple times as their health declines.
The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament that is administered only by priests or bishops, and it involves the anointing of the sick person with "Oil of the Sick" (oleum infirmorum), which is a holy oil consecrated by the Bishop.
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Those who are not obstinate[ly] persist[ing] in a manifestly grave sin
The Anointing of the Sick is a Catholic sacrament intended to strengthen and forgive the sins of those who are gravely ill or in danger due to sickness or old age. It is reserved for those who have reached the age of reason, as children below this age are not considered capable of sin and are therefore unable to understand the sacrament's grace.
The Code of Canon Law states that those who obstinate[ly] persist in manifest grave sin are excluded from receiving the Anointing of the Sick. This means that an individual must be examined for their outward conduct and its contradiction to the moral norm. The Church, in her pastoral concern for the community's good order and respect for the sacrament, must intervene in such cases.
The determination of one's state of grace is a personal matter, involving an examination of one's conscience. However, when an individual's outward conduct is seriously, clearly, and steadfastly contrary to the moral norm, the Church is obligated to take action. This intervention is necessary to avoid profaning the Blessed Sacrament and endangering the salvation of the recipient's soul and those scandalized by their unworthy reception of Holy Communion.
The burden falls on the minister of Holy Communion to prevent such profanation and endangerment. They must employ discretion and refuse to distribute Holy Communion to those declared excommunicated, interdicted, or obstinately persisting in manifest grave sin. This refusal aligns with the Church's teaching on respecting the Blessed Sacrament and preventing scandal within the community.
In summary, the Anointing of the Sick is intended for baptised members of the Christian faithful who are in danger due to sickness or old age and have reached the age of reason. Those who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are excluded from receiving this sacrament, as determined by the Church's examination of outward conduct and intervention to safeguard the sacred and avoid scandal.
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Frequently asked questions
Baptized members of the Christian faithful who have reached the age of reason and are in danger due to sickness or old age may receive the sacrament of anointing.
No, it is not just for those who are dying or very ill. However, it is intended to bring spiritual strength to those who are sick.
No, children under the age of reason cannot understand the sacrament and hence cannot receive it.
Only priests or bishops can administer the anointing of the sick. Deacons cannot.
Yes, a person may be anointed more than once, especially if their illness worsens or if they relapse after regaining their health.
