“By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1449).

Sometimes called “Last Rites” or “extreme unction,” this Sacrament is NOT a Sacrament only for the dying.  In fact, any person facing serious medical difficulty or decline should be anointed as soon as possible.  A person on hospice care should be anointed while still conscious and cognizant if at all possible. Only in the case of an accident or sudden medical emergency should this Sacrament be an “emergency,” or saved until the last moment.