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Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:14)

During His life on this earth, Jesus healed people — the blind, the lame, the lepers, the deaf, the mute and the dying. His healing touched both body and soul. In most accounts of Jesus’ healing, the ill person comes to a deeper level of faith. These healings foreshadow the victory of Christ Himself over sin and death.  

The healing ministry of Jesus continues through His Church. Jesus instructed the apostles, then sent them out among the people to continue the healing ministry. The Scriptures tell us  “they expelled many demons, anointed the sick with oil, and worked many cures" (Mk 6:12-13). At the Ascension, Jesus promised the apostles and their successors that "the sick upon whom they lay their hands will recover" (Mk 16:18).   When the apostle James wrote his epistle, he reiterated the command of Jesus “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:14) 

In the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, the Church continues the healing prayer of Jesus.  Through the signs of laying on of hands, prayer and anointing, the priest asks God to provide healing, both spiritual and physical, for the sick person.  

During the past few hundred years, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick erroneously became associated only with those who were dying.   While anointing always is appropriate at the end of life’s journey, the original and present purpose of the sacrament is to bring spiritual and, hopefully, physical strength to anyone who is ill, preparing for surgery, or experiencing physical or emotional difficulties.  Anointing of the Sick may take place in a home, a hospital or any other location. It may also take place as a communal rite during Mass or at other times.   

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