To the 6th Graders of America--on Anoiting

Anointing has been a part of the Catholic Tradition since the time the bible was written. The formation of the sacrament drew heavily from the Christ's healing and anointing of the sick in James 5:14-16:

           “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, 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.”

In the 3rd Century, Apostolic Tradition, by Hipppolytus described in his writings the anointing of the sick. In 5th century A.D. Pope Innocent addressed anointing explicitly in his letter to Decentius, Bishop of Gubbio. The letter was a reaction to a interpretation held by only presbyters could administer the sacrament and not bishops. This was corrected in Congregation for the Doctrine of the 

Faith.

In the 15th century, major leeps were made in the Council of Florence: to use olive oil blessed by a priest, only given to the sick if death is expected, person is anointed on eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, hands, feet and loins,the minister of the sacrament is a priest and the effect is to cure the mind, body, and soul.