Catholics of a certain age remember when we spoke of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick primarily as "Extreme Unction", meaning a part of the so-called "Last Rites" that prepare us for death. But while Anointing of the Sick is certainly appropriate near the end of life, it is neither exclusively nor primarily intended for that purpose. "Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders (that is, presbyters or priests) of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayers of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven" (James 5:14-15). These instructions from the Letter of St. James reveal that what we now call the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is primarily an instrument of spiritual healing through reconciliation with God. Please have a look at the Catechism of the Catholic Church (numbers 1499 to 1525) for a fuller explanation of the origin, nature, meaning and purpose of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.