Anointing of the Sick
The Church believes and confesses that among the seven sacraments there
is one especially intended to strengthen those who are being tried by illness,
the Anointing of the Sick: This sacred anointing of the sick was instituted by Christ
our Lord as a true and proper sacrament of the New Testament. It is alluded
to indeed by Mark, but is recommended to the faithful and promulgated by
James the apostle and brother of the Lord (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1511).
This sacrament imparts the grace of the Holy Spirit to those whose health
is seriously impaired by sickness or advanced age, uniting them to the entire
community of faith, and strengthening them to bear their sufferings in the light
of the support and prayers of that community.