15. What Is Extreme Unction?

"Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church." - James 5:14

Extreme Unction is the sacrament given to the seriously sick or dying for the healing and strengthening of the soul, and sometimes of the body if God wills. It belongs to Christ's mercy at one of the most serious hours of life.

The catechism answer is simple: Extreme Unction is the sacrament by which the sick are anointed by the priest and receive grace for the soul, strength against temptation, forgiveness of sins if needed, and help to die well.

This sacrament must not be delayed carelessly. The hour of sickness and death is too important for vague comfort. The soul needs grace.

The question is not first, "Will this frighten the sick person?" It is not first, "Can we wait until later?" It is not first, "Will the family feel uncomfortable?" The question is: "Does this soul need the sacrament Christ gave for the sick and dying?"

Many people avoid thinking about death until the last moment. This is dangerous. Catholic charity does not hide the sacraments from the sick because death is uncomfortable to discuss. Charity helps the soul prepare.

Extreme Unction is not a sign of despair. It is a sacrament of mercy, strengthening, purification, and preparation.

St. James writes: "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."[1]

This passage shows several things. The sick person is not left alone. Priests are called. Prayer is made. Oil is used. The sacramental life of the Church enters the hour of suffering.

The Church has always cared for the sick and dying because the soul's final passage matters. Sickness is not only a medical event. It is a spiritual hour.

Extreme Unction gives grace. It strengthens the soul against temptation, especially temptations common in sickness and death: fear, impatience, despair, presumption, bitterness, and attachment to sin.

It can remit venial sins and the remains of sin. It can also forgive mortal sins if the sick person is unable to confess but has at least imperfect contrition.

It may restore bodily health if that is good for the soul. But bodily healing is not the main purpose. The first concern is the soul's salvation.

Extreme Unction is administered by a priest. The priest anoints the sick person with blessed oil and prays the sacramental prayers appointed by the Church.

This shows again why the priesthood matters. At the bedside, the priest comes not merely as a visitor, but as Christ's minister. He brings the sacraments, absolution when needed, blessing, prayer, and the Church's care for the soul.

Families should not wait until the person is unconscious if a priest can be called earlier. It is better for the sick person to confess, receive the sacraments knowingly, and prepare with faith.

Extreme Unction should be given to Catholics who are in danger of death from sickness, grave weakness, serious injury, or old age. It is not for minor illness. It is for serious danger.

The sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers and later falls seriously ill again, or if the same illness becomes more dangerous.

A person should not delay out of fear. The sacrament is given for help. To refuse help at the hour of danger is not courage.

When possible, the sick person should first make confession. Mortal sins should be confessed plainly. The soul should be reconciled to God.

If possible, the sick person should also receive Holy Communion, especially as Viaticum. Viaticum means food for the journey. It is the Holy Eucharist given to strengthen the soul as it approaches death.

Extreme Unction, confession, and Viaticum together show the Church's motherly care at the end of life. She does not abandon the dying to sentiment. She brings Christ.

The sickbed can be a place of grace, but also of temptation. Pain can tempt the soul to impatience. Fear can tempt it to despair. Improvement can tempt it to presumption. Family anxiety can distract from eternity. Medical concerns can crowd out the soul.

Extreme Unction strengthens the soul against these dangers. It helps the sick person unite suffering to Christ, repent of sin, accept God's will, and prepare for judgment.

The family should help by prayer, quiet, truthfulness, and calling the priest promptly. They should not fill the room only with distraction when the soul needs God.

It is a grave mistake to hide death from the dying person when he needs to prepare. Some families avoid calling the priest because they fear the sick person will lose hope. This confuses natural comfort with supernatural charity.

The true hope of the dying is not denial. It is Christ, confession, forgiveness, Holy Communion, Extreme Unction, prayers for a holy death, and trust in God's mercy.

To help someone die well is an act of love. To keep him unprepared because the truth is painful is not mercy.

A Catholic home should know what to do when death approaches. A priest should be called. A crucifix should be near. Holy water may be used. The family should pray acts of faith, hope, charity, and contrition, the Rosary, the Litany of the Saints where fitting, and prayers for the dying.

The sick person should be encouraged to forgive enemies, accept God's will, repent of sin, and place himself under the mercy of Christ and the prayers of Our Lady.

This care forms the whole household. Children who see death treated with faith learn that eternity is real.

The soul must learn that Extreme Unction is a sacrament for the seriously sick and dying.

The soul must learn that it gives grace, strength, forgiveness when needed, and help for a holy death.

The soul must learn to call the priest promptly.

The soul must learn that confession and Viaticum should be received when possible.

The soul must learn that hiding death from the dying can be spiritually dangerous.

Extreme Unction is the sacrament by which the sick are anointed by the priest and receive grace for the soul, strength against temptation, forgiveness of sins if needed, and help to die well.

A beginner should ask: Do I understand why the dying need the sacraments? Would I call a priest promptly for someone in danger? Do I pray for a holy death? Do I treat death as an hour for grace rather than denial?

Christ does not abandon His servants at the edge of death. Through His Church, He gives sacramental help for the final passage, so that the soul may go before God strengthened, forgiven, and full of hope.

See also Prayer for a Holy Death and Prayer for Final Perseverance.