Anointing of the Sick in the Catholic Church
Anointing of the Sick in the Catholic Church
Anointing of the Sick, also known as Extreme Unction, is a sacrament of the Catholic Church that is administered to individuals who are facing a serious illness or are in danger of death. This sacrament is believed to provide spiritual healing and strength to the recipient, as well as forgiveness of sins.
The origins of the Anointing of the Sick can be traced back to the New Testament, specifically in the Epistle of James, where it is written, "Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord." This practice of anointing with oil for healing has been a part of Christian tradition since the early days of the Church.
In the Catholic Church, the Anointing of the Sick is typically administered by a priest. The priest anoints the forehead and hands of the sick person with blessed oil while reciting prayers for healing and forgiveness. The sacrament is intended to bring comfort and strength to the individual in their time of need, both physically and spiritually.
The Anointing of the Sick is not only for those who are at the point of death but can also be received by individuals who are seriously ill or undergoing a major surgery. It is a sacrament that is meant to bring peace and grace to the recipient, helping them to unite their suffering with the suffering of Christ.
Receiving the Anointing of the Sick is seen as a way for the Church to express its care and concern for the sick and suffering members of the community. It is a reminder of the healing power of God and the importance of faith in times of trial.
In summary, the Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament of the Catholic Church that offers spiritual healing and strength to those who are facing serious illness or are in danger of death. It is a ritual that has deep roots in Christian tradition and is a source of comfort and grace for the sick and suffering.
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
