The Sacrament People Avoid
There is a sacrament that Catholics avoid more than any other — not because they do not believe in it, but because they associate it with death. The Anointing of the Sick has been so closely linked in the popular mind with dying that many Catholics refuse to call a priest until the patient is unconscious or already gone. They fear that requesting the sacrament is an admission that all hope is lost — a sign that you are giving up.
This is a misunderstanding that has cost countless Catholics the graces the sacrament is meant to give. The Anointing of the Sick is not exclusively — or even primarily — a sacrament for the dying. It is a sacrament for the seriously ill. And waiting until the last possible moment is not piety. It is a mistake.
What It Is
The Anointing of the Sick is one of the seven sacraments, instituted by Christ and attested in Scripture. The Letter of James describes the practice:
“Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:14–15).
The sacrament involves the anointing of the sick person with the Oil of the Sick (blessed by the bishop at the Chrism Mass) on the forehead and hands, accompanied by the prayer: “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.”
It can be administered only by a priest or bishop. It can be received more than once — whenever a person faces a new serious illness or a significant worsening of an existing condition.
What It Does
The Anointing of the Sick confers specific graces suited to the trial of illness.
Strengthening and peace. Serious illness is not only a physical trial. It is a spiritual one. It can provoke fear, despair, anger, and a sense of abandonment. The sacrament gives the grace to endure suffering with faith and courage — to unite your suffering with Christ’s and to find peace even in the midst of pain.
Forgiveness of sins. The Letter of James promises that the sick person’s sins will be forgiven. If the person is unable to receive the sacrament of Confession — because they are unconscious, for example — the Anointing of the Sick can remit sins, provided the person would have desired Confession if they were able.
Physical healing, if God wills. The sacrament can result in physical healing — and often does. This is not a guarantee. God is not a vending machine. But the Church prays for healing, and healing sometimes comes. The sacrament is not magic. It is grace — and grace works according to God’s will, not ours.
Preparation for death. When the Anointing of the Sick is received by a dying person, it prepares the soul for the final passage. It is the sacrament that accompanies you to the threshold — giving you the grace to face death with faith, to commend yourself into God’s hands, and to make the transition from this life to the next with as much peace as grace can give.
Anointing of the Sick vs Last Rites
The terms are not synonymous, though they are often confused.
The Anointing of the Sick is one sacrament — the anointing with oil and the prayer of the priest. It can be received by anyone who is seriously ill, not only those who are dying.
Last Rites is a broader term referring to a group of sacraments given to a dying person. The Last Rites typically include three elements: the sacrament of Penance (Confession), the Anointing of the Sick, and Viaticum — the last reception of Holy Communion, given as “food for the journey” from this life to the next.
Viaticum is, in fact, the sacrament most properly associated with death — not the Anointing of the Sick. The Eucharist is the sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood, and receiving it at the moment of death is the ultimate preparation for meeting Christ face to face. The name comes from the Latin via — “way” or “journey.” It is the final Communion — the last food for the last road.
When a person is dying, the ideal sequence is: Confession (if possible), Anointing of the Sick, and Viaticum. Together, these constitute the Last Rites. But the Anointing of the Sick can and should be received well before the Last Rites become necessary.
When to Receive It
The Catechism states that the Anointing of the Sick “is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death.” It is appropriate whenever a person is in danger of death from illness or old age (CCC 1514–1515).
Specifically, the sacrament should be received:
Before surgery that involves a serious risk. You do not need to wait to see whether the surgery goes well. Receive the sacrament beforehand.
When diagnosed with a serious illness — cancer, heart disease, or any condition that threatens life or involves significant suffering.
When an existing condition worsens significantly. A person with a chronic illness can receive the sacrament again if their condition deteriorates markedly.
In old age, when the frailty of age itself constitutes a serious condition — even without a specific diagnosis.
When death is approaching — but do not wait until the person is unconscious. The sacrament is most effective when the person is alert and can participate consciously. Calling the priest at the last minute, when the patient can no longer speak or respond, is better than not calling at all — but it is not the ideal.
Do Not Wait
This is the single most important practical point: do not wait. Do not treat the Anointing of the Sick as a last resort. Do not avoid calling the priest because you are afraid it will frighten the patient. Do not assume that requesting the sacrament means giving up hope.
The sacrament is not a signal of defeat. It is a source of grace. It gives strength for the battle — whether the battle ends in recovery or in death. Delaying it deprives the sick person of graces they need now, not later.
If you or someone you love is seriously ill, call the priest. Today. Not when things get worse. Not when the doctors say there is nothing more they can do. Now. The sacrament exists for this moment — and every moment of serious illness is this moment.
The Grace of Illness
The Catholic tradition has always recognised that illness, for all its suffering, can be a time of profound spiritual growth. It strips away the illusions of self-sufficiency. It forces you to depend on others — and on God. It reveals what matters and what does not. It can purify, deepen, and transform in ways that health and comfort never could.
The Anointing of the Sick is the sacrament that meets you in this experience — not to take the suffering away (though it may), but to fill it with grace. It says: you are not alone in this. Christ is with you. He knows what suffering is. He has carried it. And through this sacrament, He carries it with you.
The oil on your forehead is the touch of Christ’s hand. The prayer of the priest is the voice of Christ speaking. And the grace that flows through the sacrament is Christ’s own life — given to you in the hour when you need it most.
Do not be afraid of this sacrament. It is one of the most tender and powerful things the Church offers. And it is waiting for you — not at the end, but whenever the road gets hard.