“Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man: and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (James 5:14-15)
In the past, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was commonly administered to the dying for the remission of sins, spiritual strength, and the recovery of physical health. In modern times, its use has expanded to all those gravely ill or to those about to undergo a serious medical operation.
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick goes back to biblical times. "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 and brother of the Lord." (CCC 1511) When Christ sent His disciples out to preach, “they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them" (MK 6:13) “Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man: and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him. (JM 5:14-15)
"Only Priests are ministers of the Anointing of the Sick" (CCC 1516). Received in faith and in a state of grace, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick provides the recipient with a number of graces: