Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the sick is alluded to Mk 6:13 ("they rubbed olive oil on many sick people and healed them") and recommended by James 5:14-16. In the anointing, the Church by her ministry and prayers of the priest recommends all sick people to the glorified Lord to restore them to health so as to bear witness to him. In the afflictions of the sick, the Christian spirit of the person has to be strengthened so as to overcome all weaknesses.

Suffering and sicknesses are the outcome of sin and deviation from the proper path. For a Christian, a proper restoration in body and spirit in all harmony is possible only in relationship with the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ. The sick has a role in the church, reminding the healing power of Christ and the need of being strengthened by the wounded healer, the crucified but risen Lord. The faculties and powers given to the twelve in their ministry (Mk 6:13) became clearly verified in James 5:14-16. James gives the order of the ministry to the sick and points to the communitarian character of this sacrament.

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