When we look at the Gospels, we see that Jesus spent much of his time healing the sick, lame and infirm.
The anointing of the sick, while offered to those who are ill, has somewhat been neglected in our Catholic tradition. It used to be called ‘Extreme Unction’ – the extreme or last anointing. And some of that teaching still remains.
The original idea in the life of the early church was that it was a Sacrament of Healing; all of us need healing of body, mind and spirit again and again.
In many parishes there are Masses celebrated which include the anointing of the sick. There is the normal celebration for those in hospital, or at home to pray for healing.
It is good not to leave it too late to inform the priest of the person’s illness.