SUMMARY

1. The Sacrament of Holy Unction is the anointing of the sick by a priest with oil which has been blessed by a bishop.  The five senses may be anointed (eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth and hands), though it is sufficient if the forehead only is anointed.

2. The person must be baptised and be sorry for his or her sins.  The grace given is forgiveness, the strengthening of the soul and, if it be God’s will, recovery from illness.

3. Usually the sick person makes his or her Confession and receives Holy Communion before receiving the Sacrament of Holy Unction.

4. If anyone is seriously ill, or in danger of death because of old age, the priest should be informed without delay.

Note

At the beginning of the Common Worship text for Funerals, there is a section entitled, ‘Ministry at the Time of Death’. (1) This may include the laying on of hands and anointing with oil.  This ministry is plainly for people who are dying, not for people who are seriously ill but may recover.

Common Worship also has a texts for ‘Ministry to the Sick’, which includes Laying on of Hands with Prayer and Anointing.  “This form may be used at the prayers during the visitation of the sick, either at Holy Communion with the sick or as part of another form of prayer at the bedside”. (2)

References

1. ©The Archbishops’ Council (2000) Common Worship.  Funeral.  Available from: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/downloads/pdf/psfuneral214-end.pdf  (Accessed 25 August 2010) (Internet).

2. ©The Archbishops’ Council (2000) Common Worship.  Laying on of Hands with Prayer and Anointing.  Available from:
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/liturgy/commonworship/texts/healing/layingonofhands.html (Accessed 25 August 2010) (Internet).