According to the Baltimore Catechism, “Anointing of the Sick is the sacrament which, through the anointing with blessed oil by the priest, and through his prayer, gives health and strength to the soul and sometimes to the body when we are in danger of death from sickness, accident, or old age.”

The form of this sacrament is: “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.”

The matter of the sacrament is the anointing with blessed oil. The forehand and hands are to be anointed. In case of necessity, one anointing is sufficient and may even be of some other part of the body.

The minister of anointing is the priest. All Catholics who have reached the use of reason and are in danger of death from sickness, accident, or old age, should receive Anointing of the Sick. According to the General Instruction, “if the priest is doubtful whether the sick person is dead, he should confer the sacrament.”

Regarding the effects of anointing, Father Bennet Kelley, C.P., wrote, “The sacramental grace of Anointing of the Sick helps us to accept sickness as a purifying cross sent by God and even to accept death willingly from his hands whenever he chooses to send it.”

The Baltimore Catechism states: “The effects of the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick are: first, an increase of sanctifying grace; second, comfort in sickness and strength against temptation; third, preparation for entrance into heaven by the remission of our venial sins and the cleansing of our souls from the remains of sin; fourth, health of body when it is good for the soul.”

“Anointing of the Sick takes away mortal sin when the sick person is unconscious or otherwise unaware that he is not properly disposed, but has made an act of imperfect contrition.”

Bishop Louis LaRavoire Morrow, in the book My Catholic Faith, pointed out that the sacraments administered to a person dangerously ill are Confession, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Communion, and if not received before, Confirmation.

Holy Communion when given in danger of death is called “Viaticum”, a Latin word which means “something for the journey”. Like a travelling companion.

Father John Hardon, S.J., in the book The Question and Answer Catholic Catechism, spelled out what relatives and friends should do to assist the sick and the dying.

“The sick person’s relatives are bound to see that the person receives the sacrament in due time so that he can draw all the merits of the sacrament. It is seriously wrong to withhold the sacrament under the pretext of sparing the feelings of the patient.”

“One should assist persons in their last moments by being present at their side and comfort them by whispering aspirations with or at least to them, helping them recite acts of faith, hope, love, and sorrow, offering them the crucifix to hold and venerate and encouraging them to offer their suffering in union with Christ, for particular persons, living or dead, or for the whole Church of God.”

The usages of the sacramentals, like holy water, brown scapular, and rosary bring comfort and strength to the sick and the dying. The recitations of the rosaries and chaplet of divine mercy are powerful devotions which can be done easily by those around the dying person.

“So they set off to preach repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them” (Mark 6:11-13).