Anointing of the Sick
The sacrament in which a priest anoints a seriously ill person with blessed oil for healing, strength and forgiveness; formerly called “Extreme Unction,” it is not only for the dying.
St James instructs the sick to call the priests of the Church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. The sacrament gives strength, peace and courage to bear illness, forgives sins if the person could not confess, unites the sick person to Christ's Passion, and sometimes restores health. It may be received by anyone who begins to be in danger from sickness or old age, and again if the illness worsens — it is not reserved for the last moments, and Vatican II restored its fuller place in the care of the seriously ill.
Councils
Where the Church settled or debated this. Follow a council to read our article on it, or the decrees themselves.
- 1545–1563Council of Trentthe decrees
- 1962–1965Second Vatican Councilthe decrees
Sources checked 29 September 2026