Anointing of the Sick facts for kids
The Anointing of the Sick is a special sacrament (a sacred ceremony) in the Catholic Church and other Christian groups. It is given to people who are "in danger due to sickness or old age."
You don't have to be dying to receive this anointing. It can be done for anyone with a serious medical problem that could lead to death.
The Anointing of the Sick is also called Unction. In the past, it was known as Extreme Unction. Both "Anointing" and "Unction" mean putting oil on a person. Oil is an important part of this ceremony.
Contents
Why is Anointing of the Sick important?
Its beginnings in the Bible
All four Gospels in the Bible tell us that Jesus healed many people. Catholics believe that even after his death, Jesus can still heal people through the power of the sacraments.
The main part of the Bible that talks about anointing the sick is James 5:14–15. It says: "Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the Church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And if they have committed sins, these will be forgiven." Other parts of the Bible, like Matthew 10:8, Luke 10:8–9, and Mark 6:13, also mention the anointing of the sick.
How the sacrament is performed
The Anointing of the Sick sacrament is performed by a priest. The priest brings oil that he has blessed. This oil is usually olive oil or another pure plant oil. The priest gently rubs the blessed oil on the sick person's forehead, and sometimes on other parts of their body. While doing this, he says special prayers meant for the Anointing of the Sick sacrament.
Catholics believe the Anointing of the Sick sacrament can:
- Give comfort to the sick person, helping them feel better.
- Give the sick person courage and strength to go through the pain or suffering of their illness.
- Make the soul stronger.
- Sometimes, make the body stronger.
- Help the person get ready to live with Christ forever after death.
- Forgive the person's sins, especially if they are too sick to make a confession (tell the priest about their sins, ask for forgiveness, and say prayers to show they are sorry).
Several other Christian churches have similar rituals.
What are Last Rites?
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The Anointing of the Sick is one of three sacraments that make up the last rites. In Catholicism, last rites are a set of sacraments given to people who are very ill or dying. They are meant to offer spiritual comfort and preparation.
The steps in the last rites are:
- Penance: The sick person repents their sins (says they are sorry for what they have done) and asks God to forgive them.
- The Anointing of the Sick.
- Viaticum: This is a final Holy Communion. The sick person is given a small piece of bread, or even a tiny crumb if they cannot eat much. A priest has blessed this bread. Catholics believe this special blessing turns the bread into the body of Christ.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Service of the Sacrament of Holy Unction served on Great and Holy Wednesday.
See also
In Spanish: Unción de enfermos para niños
