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Anointing of the sick is one of the two sacraments of healing, the other is Penance or Reconciliation.
Anointing of the sick, as it is properly called, dates to the 7th century Gregorian Sacramentary, an earlier Sacramentary of the Church, named after Gregory the Great where a formal rite is contained. At this point, it was already a custom for an ordained clergyman to administer Anointing. There is, however evidence that the custom of anointing was performed even in the early Church. Already in the Apostolic Tradition of Hipolytus in the 3rd century, there are prayers for the blessing of oil: "May this oil also give comfort to those who taste it and health to those who use it." Over the centuries, a shift in the focus from physical healing to spiritual healing takes place.
The Council of Florence in its Decree for the Armenians, (1439) calls this sacrament, Extreme Unction, which would be its title until Vatican II. At that time, anointing was prescribed for those who were near death and the primary effect of the sacrament was spiritual healing; however physical healing was never ruled out.
The Council of Trent, 1551, provides four canons for anointing:
- It is a true sacrament, instituted by Christ and made known by James.
- It confers grace, remits sins, and comforts the sick.
- The Church's rite of anointing is valid (This was in response to the Protestant Reformers)
The presbyters that James mentions are priests.
Little change occurred between 1551 and 1962, the start of Vatican II. The Council declared four effects of anointing:
- It comforts and strengthens the soul.
- It gives grace to bear trials and resist temptations.
- It possibly brings bodily healing.
Since Vatican II, Anointing became a true sacrament of healing, in a sense, because one no longer has to be in direct danger of death to request or receive it. It is encouraged by the Church to receive this sacrament before undergoing operations or while dealing with other ailments that may not necessarily be life-threatening. The elderly are encouraged to receive this sacrament, simply by virtue of age. Before this, Anointing was reserved for those in danger of death and consequently, earned a reputation of being the "Last Rites", a term which is today erroneously used synonymously with anointing.
Did you realize there is actually a third sacrament of healing--yes, a third. That is called Viaticum. Viaticum means Food for the Journey. Viaticum is the reception of the Holy Eucharist as soon as possible before death. The Church asks, very strongly, that all who are physically capable, receive Viaticum as the hour of death nears.
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