T
here has been a lot of negative connotation about the
Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Many people even
fear allowing their loved ones to receive this sacrament
thinking that it is only administered to prepare a person for
death. But reading from the Catechism of the Catholic Church
(CCC), we find that this sacrament is under the "Sacraments of Healing".
CCC 1511 states: "The Church believes and confesses that among the
seven sacraments there is one especially intended to strengthen those
who are being tried by illness, the Anointing of the Sick: 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."
Following are the Bible verses referred to:
"They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick,
and healed them." Mark 6:13
"Is any amongst you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and
let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and
the prayer of faith will heal him who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If
he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." James 5:1415