Extreme Unction

Extreme unction is a sacrament which, through theanointing and prayer performed by a priest, gives forgiveness and grace to the soul, and sometimes confers health on the body of aperson in danger of death from sickness, injury, or accident.

Extreme unction is a true sacrament instituted by Christ. And it is one sacrament, although it involves theanointing of the several senses.

Scripture does not give us the time nor the manner inwhich Christ instituted the sacrament of extreme unction. But the Church from earliest times has used this sacrament, and has recognized the fact that it is not within her power to abrogate it. And therefore it is certainly a sacrament instituted by the divine Founder of the Church.

Scripture speaks of extreme unction as a fact. In the Epistle of St. James (5:14) the matter of this sacrament is indicated as oil. This is olive oil, specially blessed, or consecrated as the usual term is, by a bishop for use inthis sacrament. This oil is called oleum infirmo-rum or”oil of the sick.”

It is right that oil should be consecrated for use in extreme unction, for in all sacraments the matter is blessed, and so is dedicated to a sacred use.

All sacraments which involve anointings-confirmation,holy order, extreme unction, and solemnly conferred baptism-require oil consecrated by a bishop.

The form of extreme unction consists of prescribed words which express and apply the matter as this sacrament is conferred.

The priest in administering extreme unction anoints the eyes, ears, nostrils, lips, hands, and feet of the sick person. At each anointing, he says, “Through this holy anointing and his most tender mercy, may the Lord forgive whatever thou has doneamiss through … ,” naming the pertinent sense or sense-function: sight; hearing; smell; taste and speech; touch;walking.

The prescribed form of extreme unction is suitable.It expresses: (a) the matter or sign: “this holyanointing”; (b) the cause of effectiveness in the sacrament:“may the Lord …”; (c) the actual effect of the sacrament: “forgive …”