
The Oil of the Sick, also known as oleum infirmorum, is a holy oil used in the Catholic sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. The oil is usually olive oil, but other pure plant oils can be used in cases of necessity. The Anointing of the Sick is not only for those in immediate danger of death but can also be administered to those showing the first signs of illness or old age. The oil is blessed by a bishop, who may breathe on it to signify the presence of the Holy Spirit, and is then used to anoint the sick person's forehead, and perhaps other parts of the body, to bring comfort and peace.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other names | Extreme Unction, Holy Oil, Unction of the Sick, Unction or Blessing of Consecrated Oil, Unction of God, Office of the Unction, Euchelaion, Elaion Hagion, Hegismenon Elaion, Elaiou Chrisis, Chrisma, Oleum Infirmorum |
| Who can administer the sacrament | A priest or bishop |
| Who can receive the sacrament | A Catholic who has reached the age of reason and is dangerously ill or in danger due to sickness or old age |
| Oil used | Olive oil or another pure plant oil |
| How is it blessed | By a bishop or, in an emergency, by any priest |
| Where is it applied | Forehead and perhaps other parts of the body |
| What does it give | Comfort, peace, courage, forgiveness of sins, grace, strength to bear the illness or infirmity, spiritual and emotional healing |
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What You'll Learn
- The oil of the sick is used for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
- The oil is usually olive oil, blessed by a bishop
- Other oils may be used, such as pure plant oils
- The priest anoints the sick person's forehead and hands with oil in the form of a cross
- The anointing conveys graces and gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit

The oil of the sick is used for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
The oil of the sick, also known as oleum infirmorum, is used for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick in the Catholic Church. It is one of the three holy oils used by the Church, the other two being the oil of the catechumens and the holy chrism oil. The oil of the sick is used to anoint and bring comfort to those who are dangerously ill or in the proximate danger of death.
The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is based on the Biblical text of James 5:14-15, which says: "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. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man. And the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him." The sacrament is performed by a priest or bishop, who anoints the patient's forehead and perhaps other parts of the body with oil while reciting prayers.
The oil used for the sacrament is usually olive oil, although other pure plant oils may also be used. It is blessed by the bishop of the diocese during the annual Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday or a nearby day. The oil is presented in a formal procession in special urns, with the oil of the sick being presented first. The bishop blesses the oil by praying over it, signifying the presence of the Holy Spirit and its transformation from an ordinary ointment to a holy gift from God.
The Anointing of the Sick is intended to bring spiritual, emotional, and physical healing to the sick, giving them the strength to face their illness or infirmity. It also provides forgiveness of sins if the person is unable to make a confession.
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The oil is usually olive oil, blessed by a bishop
The oil used in the sacrament is usually olive oil, though other pure plant oils may also be used in case of necessity. It is blessed by the bishop of the diocese, or in his absence, by a duly authorised priest, and in an emergency, by any priest. This blessing typically takes place at the Chrism Mass, which is celebrated on Holy Thursday or on a day close to it. The bishop concelebrates with priests from various regions of the diocese, and during this Mass, he consecrates the sacred Chrism and blesses the other oils. The Chrism Mass is considered to be a sign of the close bond of the priests with the bishop.
The ritual for creating and consecrating the holy chrism is different from that of the other oils. To make it, the bishop mixes oil from the balsam plant with the olive oil, breathes on the mixed oil to signify the presence of the Holy Spirit, and then says a prayer to consecrate it. The oil of the sick, on the other hand, is blessed individually by the bishop, who prays that in God's blessing of the oil, "everyone anointed with this oil as a safeguard for body, soul, and spirit may be freed from all pain, all infirmity, and all sickness".
The Oil of the Sick, also known as oleum infirmorum in Latin, is used for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, which is administered to a Catholic "who, having reached the age of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age". It is not only for those in immediate danger of death, but even at the beginning sign of danger from illness or old age. This sacrament conveys several graces and gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit, giving peace and fortitude to the sick, as well as forgiveness of sins.
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Other oils may be used, such as pure plant oils
The Oil of the Sick, also known as oleum infirmorum, is a holy oil used in the Catholic Church's sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. This sacrament is administered to a Catholic who is dangerously ill, or in old age, and is not just for those at the point of death. The Oil of the Sick is usually olive oil, but other pure plant oils can also be used.
The oil is blessed by the bishop of the diocese, or by a duly authorised priest, and in emergencies, by any priest. The blessing of the oils takes place after the Liturgy of the Word, in a formal procession, with the Oil of the Sick being presented first. The bishop prays over and blesses each oil individually. The Oil of the Sick is used to anoint the sick person's forehead, and perhaps other parts of the body, while reciting certain prayers.
The use of the Oil of the Sick is referenced in the Bible:
> "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. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man. And the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him."
The Oil of the Sick is one of three holy oils used by the Church, the other two being the Oil of Catechumens and the Holy Chrism Oil. The Oil of the Sick is used to comfort those who are ill, giving them grace and strength to bear their illness or infirmity.
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The priest anoints the sick person's forehead and hands with oil in the form of a cross
The priest may also anoint other parts of the body in accordance with local culture, traditions, and the needs of the sick person, but without repeating the sacramental formula. During the anointing, the priest says:
> Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.
The Anointing of the Sick is mentioned in the Bible, in the Epistle of Saint James:
> Is anyone among you sick? Let him bring in the presbyters [priests] of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.
The sacrament is believed to give comfort, peace, courage, and forgiveness of sins to the recipient. It is also said to unite the sick person with the passion of Christ and give them the strength to endure their illness or old age.
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The anointing conveys graces and gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit
The Catholic Church administers the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to those who are dangerously ill or in the proximate danger of death. The sacrament is performed by a priest or a bishop who uses oleum infirmorum ('oil of the sick') to anoint the patient's forehead and perhaps other parts of the body. This oil is usually olive oil, though other pure plant oils can be used in necessity. The oil is blessed by the bishop of the diocese or a duly authorized priest.
The Anointing of the Sick conveys graces and gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit anointing is not just for healing but also for preaching, witnessing, delivering, and miracle-working power. It empowers Spirit-filled believers for multiple ministries. The Bible states that those who have believed in Jesus Christ have received this anointing.
The Holy Spirit anointing gives the power to be effective witnesses for Jesus and to enable the sharing of the Good News about Him. It also empowers believers to be benefactors and doers of good for needy people. The Apostle John told his readers that they had been anointed by the Holy One and that they had the knowledge to teach others.
The Holy Spirit's anointing also brings "recovery of sight for the blind", both physical and spiritual healing, as Jesus did. It releases the oppressed, who are suffering from sin, sickness, or demonic attacks, and proclaims the year of the Lord's favor to those ignorant of the comforting message of God's grace.
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Frequently asked questions
The Oil of the Sick is a holy oil used in the Catholic Church's sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
The Oil of the Sick is typically made from olive oil or another pure plant oil. The fragrance comes from the addition of balsam, which represents the "aroma of Christ".
The sacrament is for those who are dangerously ill or in the proximate danger of death. It is not only for those at the point of death.
Only a priest or bishop can administer the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
The sacrament conveys several graces and gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit, providing peace, fortitude, comfort, and courage to the sick.










































