Day 207: Celebrating the Anointing of the Sick

The Anointing of the Sick "is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as any of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived." CCC 1514

In today's reading, the Catechism discusses how the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated. Any of the faithful can receive this sacrament if there is fear of death due to sickness or old age. It can be received more than once, even for the same illness if it worsens or should another severe malady strike. Ideally, this sacrament is received after Penance and followed by the Eucharist. In fact, as to the latter, the Catechism notes that "the Eucharist should always be the last sacrament of the earthly journey" (CCC 1517). This sacrament should only be ministered by a bishop or a priest, not laypeople. 

The Catechism Compendium gives a summary of how the sacrament itself is celebrated:

The celebration of this sacrament consists essentially in an anointing with oil which may be blessed by the bishop. The anointing is on the forehead and on the hands of the sick person (in the Roman rite) or also on other parts of the body (in the other rites) accompanied by the prayer of the priest who asks for the special grace of this sacrament. (#318)

The Catechism Companion, Vol II has some good commentary on this sacrament:

The Anointing of the Sick brings comfort and strength to those nearing the end of their earthly lives. The sacraments, including the Anointing of the Sick, are gifts of God's mercy and grace that bring sus into his family and restore us to health. (p. 178)