With the sacraments of Christian initiation we have received a new life in Christ. But we carry this new life in “jars of clay” (2 Corinthians 4,7) and are still subject to sin, suffering, illnesses and death. We need to be healed, so it is through the sacraments of healing – Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick – that Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, continues, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also called the sacrament of conversion, confession, forgiveness or penance, confers the forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism. With this sacrament we return to communion with God and recover our friendship with him. This sacrament is the merciful embrace of the God the Father who welcomes us again as his children and forgives us our sins. It does not matter how many times we have walked away from him or how big our fault has been; he is always willing to forgive us. 

Only God forgives sins. However, he entrusted the apostles to take over this ministry. That is why it is Christ, in the person of his priest, who forgives the penitent’s sins. The sacrament involves four steps: 1) examination of conscience; 2) repentance; 3) confession or disclosure of sins to the priest; and 4) the intention to make reparation and do works to make up for the evil we brought about through our sins.

The Anointing of the Sick is the second sacrament of healing. It confers a special grace on someone experiencing a grave illness or who is in old age. Each time we fall seriously ill, we can receive the Anointing of the Sick.

The celebration of the Anointing of the Sick consists essentially in the anointing of the forehead and hands of the sick person, the anointing being accompanied by the liturgical prayer of the celebrant asking for the special grace of this sacrament. If circumstances permit, it may be preceded by the sacrament of Reconciliation.

With this sacrament the person unites himself to the Passion (suffering) and Death of Christ. He or she receives the Holy Spirit’s gifts of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age. The sacrament can also constitute a preparation for the final journey for those at the point of departing this life.