Clarifying the meaning of the anointing of the sick

Great confusion exists regarding the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. Different groups use the sacrament for people who are sick, anybody who wishes to participate, people who are dying, older persons, or even as a preventive measure to ward off sickness. The Second Vatican Council attempted to clarify understanding of the anointing, but two schools of thought on the matter remain: one that the anointing celebrates the removal of sin and its remnants for critically ill people, the other that it is a sacrament for the sick or those who might get sick. A balanced consideration of both views is needed: The sacrament is for those who are truly sick but also has spiritual, physical, and psychological effects. To clarify the anointing of the sick, pastoral care departments in hospitals could offer educational programs to employees at lunchtime, explain the sacrament to parishes that send patients to their hospitals, and explain the sacrament as they invite patients to celebrate the anointing.