246 PRIESTS AND BISHOPS ARE MINISTERS OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK

YOUCAT Lesson 246

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

246  Who can administer the Anointing of the Sick?

Administering the Anointing of the Sick is reserved to bishops and priests, for it is Christ who acts through them by virtue of their ordination.  [1516, 1530]

Photo: …..Anointing of the Sick at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church 420x280 .....246

“Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit…May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.”  From the Rite of the Anointing of the Sick

II. WHO RECEIVES AND WHO ADMINISTERS THIS SACRAMENT?

In case of grave illness . . .

…….1516   Only priests (bishops and presbyters) are ministers of the Anointing of the Sick.(Compare Council Of Trent (1551): Denzinger-Schönmetzer 1697; 1719; Codex Iuris Canonici, Can. 1003; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium, Can. 739 § 1.)¹³¹    It is the duty of pastors to instruct the faithful on the benefits of this sacrament. The faithful should encourage the sick to call for a priest to receive this sacrament. The sick should prepare themselves to receive it with good dispositions, assisted by their pastor and the whole ecclesial community, which is invited to surround the sick in a special way through their prayers and fraternal attention. –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

INBRIEF

…….1530   Only priests (presbyters and bishops) can give the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, using oil blessed by the bishop, or if necessary by the celebrating presbyter himself. --CCC