Does Anointing of the Sick heal?

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There is no guarantee of physical healing, and as far the Catechism is concerned there is no mention of a physical effect of the sacrament.[1] It is asked for in the liturgy if it will further the sanctification of the person's soul. [2] There is a strengthening of the soul in nearly every way: strengthening the union of the recipient with the passion of Christ, bestowing additional graces which assist resisting of temptation which leads to the health of the soul, bringing grace to the Church by the suffering united to Christ’s, and preparing the soul for the spiritual journey into heaven.[3] In the Gospels, likewise, Christ, the Divine Physician and Healer, forgives a person their sins, then heals them firstly for the sake of their own spiritual health and those around them.[4] The Apostles and their successors, in this sacrament, fulfill Christ's promise and mission that "In my name, they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."[5] Neither does this verse promise healing on any specific level but it would be logical to assume that the spiritual healing would be the beginning of any, just as it was in the Gospels.  As Christ did in the Gospel, He did through His Apostles and does now/will do through their successors (ex opere opperato). [6] 
Apart from the sacrament, the Holy Spirit bestows the charism of healing to some through which Christ likewise goes to heal. Many of the Church's apostolate deal with the sick and marginalized.

FN:
  1. Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church,1520-1523.
  2. Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1503-1505.
  3. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1525.
  4. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1507.
  5. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1506.; Mark 16:18
  6. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1545.


I am a Theology major attending Holy Apostles College and Seminary. I am a Knight of Columbus and a Newman Ambassador for Pius XII Newman Center.

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