Anointing of the Sick

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ANOINTING OF THE SICK

By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them.  And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.  CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH No. 1499

The special grace of the sacrament of Anointing the Sick has as its effects:

  • the uniting of the sick person to the Passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church;
  • the strengthening, peace and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age;
  • the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance;
  • the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul;
  • the preparation for passing over to eternal life.  CCC No. 1532