“Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up.” (James 5:13-15)
Christ’s compassion for the sick and His many healing miracles are a sure sign that God has visited His people and the Kingdom of God has come. Today the church continues the healing ministry of Jesus through it’s pastoral care of the sick and dying. The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is not only for those who are dying. In fact the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, “It is fitting to receive the Anointing of the Sick just prior to a serious operation. The same holds for the elderly whose frailty becomes more pronounced.” (C.C.C. 1515)