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What is Anointing of the Sick?
“The Anointing of the Sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death. It is most likely one of the last Sacraments one will receive. A Sacrament is an outward sign established by Jesus Christ to confer inward grace. It is a rite that is performed to convey God’s grace to the recipient through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the church's elders, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:14
They cast out many demons and anointed them with oil; many sick healed them. Mark 6:13
This was to fulfill what the prophet Isaiah said: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” Matthew 8:17
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that 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 good and that of the whole Church;
The strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age;
The forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation;
The restoration of health or preparation for passing over to eternal life.
Why is it necessary for a priest (or bishop) to administer this sacrament?
Because forgiveness of sins is one of the effects of the Anointing of the Sick, a priest (or bishop) must administer the sacrament. Deacons and laity can pray for the sick and dying, but not to the same effect as this sacrament.
