The Anointing of the Sick is performed by a priest when a person is sick or dying.  The priest will anoint the person on the head and hands with blessed oil, and pray for God to heal and bless the sick person.

A serious illness can cause many people to lose faith in God and to feel hopeless.  The Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament that gains grace for the ill person, and assures them that God is always with His people, even in the most dire of situations.

Catholics who are very ill or at the point of death may call a priest for Anointing. People who have already received the Anointing of the Sick and have recovered may receive the sacrament more than once if they become very sick again.