The Sacrament of the Sick if often administered near the time of death to bring spiritual and even physical strength. The sacrament's name has changed over time. It was once called Extreme Unction , which means the last anointing and has been referred to as part of the last rites.
Like all the sacraments , holy anointing was instituted by Jesus Christ . The Sacrament of the Sick conveys several graces and imparts gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety , discouragement and temptation and conveys peace and fortitude .
A person does not have to be dying to receive this sacrament . The Catechism of the Catholic Church says , " The Anointing of the Sick is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death . Hence , as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age , the fitting time.......to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived " ( No.1514) .
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