Anointing of the Sick and Holy Orders

Question 271

What is the Sacrament of Extreme Unction?

Extreme Unction is the Sacrament which, through the anointing and prayer of the priest, gives health and strength to the soul, and sometimes to the body, when we are in danger of death from sickness.

Question 272

When should we receive Extreme Unction?

We should receive Extreme Unction when we are in danger of death from sickness, or from a wound or accident.

Question 273

Should we wait until we are in extreme danger before we receive Extreme Unction?

We should not wait until we are in extreme danger before we receive Extreme Unction, but if possible we should receive it whilst we have the use of our senses.

Question 274

Which are the effects of the Sacrament of Extreme Unction?

The effects of Extreme Unction are: 1st, To comfort us in the pains of sickness and to strengthen us against temptation; 2d, To remit venial sins and to cleanse our soul from the remains of sin; 3d, To restore us to health, when God sees fit.

Question 275

What do you mean by the remains of sin?

By the remains of sin I mean the inclination to evil and the weakness of the will which are the result of our sins, and which remain after our sins have been forgiven.

Question 276

How should we receive the Sacrament of Extreme Unction?

We should receive the Sacrament of Extreme Unction in the state of grace, and with lively faith and resignation to the will of God.

Question 277

Who is the minister of the Sacrament of Extreme Unction?

The priest is the minister of the Sacrament of Extreme Unction.

Question 278

What is the Sacrament of Holy Orders?

Holy Orders is a Sacrament by which bishops, priests, and other ministers of the Church are ordained and receive the power and grace to perform their sacred duties.

Question 279

What is necessary to receive Holy Orders worthily?

To receive Holy Orders worthily it is necessary to be in the state of grace, to have the necessary knowledge and a divine call to this sacred office.

Question 280

How should Christians look upon the priests of the Church?

Christians should look upon the priests of the Church as the messengers of God and the dispensers of His mysteries.

Question 281

Who can confer the Sacrament of Holy Orders?

Bishops can confer the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

Anointing is not only for the final moment

Questions 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277

A person should request Anointing when serious illness or the frailty of old age begins to create danger, not wait until consciousness is lost. A priest anoints and prays for union with Christ's Passion, strength, peace, forgiveness when Penance is unavailable, possible healing, and preparation for eternal life. The older phrase remains of sin points to weakness and consequences left by sin, not unforgiven guilt concealed from God.

Orders for service

Questions 278, 279

Holy Orders configures bishops, priests, and deacons for ordered service in Christ's name. Discernment, formation, freedom, faith, and suitability matter; ordination is neither a personal entitlement nor a declaration that the minister is morally perfect.

Respect with accountability

Questions 280, 281

Bishops confer Holy Orders through laying on of hands and consecratory prayer. Christians should respect ordained ministry for Christ's mission, while never using respect to excuse abuse, silence truth, or deny lawful accountability.

James 5:13–16

James directs the sick to the presbyters' prayer and anointing while placing healing within faith and forgiveness.

13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? 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: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

1 Timothy 4:12–16

Paul connects ministry with teaching, example, gift, perseverance, and responsibility rather than status alone.

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.