Which sacrament is for healing and grace for the sick?

• A. Baptism
• B. Anointing of the Sick
• C. Reconciliation
• D. Matrimony

Answer: (B)

In this topic, the focus is on which sacrament is meant to bring healing and grace to someone who is sick. The Anointing of the Sick is the one designed for this situation. It is given to people facing serious illness, old age, or the possibility of surgery to strengthen their faith, bring comfort, and grant grace to endure their suffering. The rite includes anointing with blessed oil and the laying on of hands, with prayers asking for healing, peace, and courage, and, if it serves God’s plan, physical restoration. It also offers forgiveness of sins for those who cannot confess, uniting the sick person with Christ in their experience of suffering. Other sacraments have different aims—Baptism initiates a person into the Christian life and cleanses from sin; Reconciliation restores grace after sin; Matrimony concerns the lifelong union of spouses—so Anointing of the Sick best matches the idea of healing and grace for the sick.