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Chapter 19. Anointing the Sick and the Dying • 255
1. When should we receive the Sacrament of the
Anointing of the Sick?
The proper time for receiving this holy anointing has cer-
tainly arrived when the believer begins to be in danger of
death because of illness or old age. Each time a Christian
falls seriously ill, he may receive the Anointing of the Sick,
and also when, after he has received it, the illness wors-
ens. (CCC, nos. 1528, 1529)
2. Who are the ministers of the Sacrament of the
Anointing of the Sick?
Only priests . . . 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 [priest or cel-
ebrant] himself. (CCC, no. 1530)
3. What are the effects of the Sacrament of the
Anointing of the Sick?
The special grace of the Sacrament of the Anointing of
the Sick has as its effects:
—the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ,
for his own good and that of the whole Church;
—[giving the sick person the strength], peace, and cour-
age to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of ill-
ness or old age;
—[imparting] the forgiveness of sins, if the sick per-
son was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of
Penance;
—[providing for] the restoration of health, if it is condu-
cive to the salvation of his soul;
—[helping the sick person in] the preparation for passing
over to eternal life. (CCC, no. 1532)
FROM THE CATECHISM