Anointing of the Sick

By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that He may raise them up and save them. And, indeed, she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.

Blessing and the Use of Oil of the Sick

1. In case of necessity, priests may bless the Oil of the Sick but only during the administration of this Sacrament.
2. In case of necessity a single anointing on the forehead or even on another part of the body suffices while the full formula is recited.
3. The minister is to anoint with his own hand unless a grave reason indicates the use of an instrument.
4. Pastors and those who are close to the sick are to ensure that the sick are helped by the Sacrament in good time.
5. The communal celebration of anointing of the sick, for a number of the sick together, who have been appropriately prepared and are rightly disposed, may be held periodically. It is recommended that such communal celebrations be held in parishes at least once a year, particularly for the benefit of shut-ins who normally cannot get to Sunday Mass except for such special occasions.
6. Any Catholic priest can validly anoint.
7. Any priest may carry the holy oil with him so that in case of necessity he may anoint.
8. Anointing can be administered to any member of the faithful (including a sick child) who, having reached the age of reason, begins to be in danger by reason of illness or old age.
9. The elderly may be anointed if they are in a weak condition even though no dangerous illness is present.
10. The Sacrament may be repeated if the sick person, having recovered, again becomes seriously ill or if, in the same illness, the danger becomes more serious.
11. If there is doubt (including doubt about actual death) the Sacrament is to be administered.
12. The Sacrament is to be conferred on sick people who, although they have lost consciousness or the use of reason, would, as Christian believers, have at least implicitly asked for it when they were in control of their faculties.
13. Anointing is not to be conferred upon those who obstinately persist in manifesting grave sin.
14. Regarding the Anointing of the Sick and administration of the Sacrament of Penance and the Eucharist to other Christians who are not in full communion with the Catholic Church.