“Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the Church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the Name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.”        St. James 5:14-15

 
This Sacrament is called many things including the Sacrament of Healing and the Sacrament of the Sick. Sometimes, one may hear it called “Extreme Unction” (Last Anointing), which describes its use along with a final Confession & Viaticum (the last Holy Communion). 
 
However, like Confession and Holy Communion, one does not need to be in danger of death to receive this Sacrament. Any Catholic who is preparing for surgery, or who is admitted to the hospital for a serious injury or illness should receive this Sacrament. There may be other reasons to receive the Holy Anointing. Also, if at all possible, please do not wait until a sick or elderly person is unconscious, in order that they may participate in the Sacrament as much as they are able.
 
When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person will be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.
 

Schedule an Anointing for the Sick