Catholic Sacraments

"Christ instituted the sacraments of the new law. There are seven: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance, the Annointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. The seven sacraments touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life: they give birth and increase, healing and mission to the Christian's life of faith. There is thus a certain resemblance between he stages of natural life and the stages of the spiritual life." (CCC 1210) (A) …

…anointing with oil and the laying on of hands by the priest. These are accompanied by special prayers and often the sacrament is celebrated in conjunction with Penance and the Eucharist (called Viatacum if the person is close to death and it is their last Eucharist). Oil has historically been used for the appointment of royalty and political leaders, soldiers and in healing. It is considered to be a symbol of health, strength and leadership.