When we are sick, including the sickness that lead us to death or old age and was unable to make a Sacramaent of Penance, our Lord instituted a Sacrament for this kind of case. It is called, the Sacrament of Extreme Unction. It is also known today as the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
The Sacrament of Extreme Unction is where a person who is in danger of death because of sickness, old age or in an accident, through the anointing of the blessed oil by the priest and through his prayer, gives health and strength to the soul, and sometimes to the body.
It also takes away the mortal sin when the sick person is unconscious or unaware that he or she is not properly disposed. If the person is guilty of mortal sin and fall unconscious before the priest arrives, this sacrament will restore the person to Sanctifying Grace. If the person is recovered, he or she is bound to confess his sins thus forgiven.
Our Lord Jesus Christ healed many sicknesses during His ministry on earth without using oil. But one of the biblical proofs of Extreme Unction was written in James 5:14-15: “Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man: and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.”
Only an ordained priest who can administer the Sacrament of Extreme Unction.
