Extreme Unction

The church has changed the wording and no longer calls it extreme unction. Rather it is called anointing of the sick to more accurately show and demonstrate the power of the sacrament. The sacrament of the dying is call viaticum, because one is on the way to their eternal reward. [Note the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1511 and following and the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy 73.] Because for centuries this sacrament was administered at the point of death it received the previous name. However the original intent, from scripture, [see James 5:14-15] was the people would recover their health.

Most Catholics today may not know of the way it is to be celebrated: public and communally. Many parishes have anointing services throughout the year. It is meant to be a sacrament to restore one's health and lift them up in Christ, uniting them with his sufferings. Most younger Catholics only know this sacrament by it's name, "anointing of the sick" since the Second Vatican Council, and know that they should be anointed before surgery or any time when one can benefit from the graces of the sacrament.