Healing was an important part of Jesus’ life both through his spiritually and physically healing miracles. For example in John 9, Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind. The apostles continued to heal people in his name for many centuries. These are the earliest examples of the sacrament of anointing of the sick. From the twelfth century, Anointing of the Sick was called “Extreme Unction” or “Last Rites”. Vatican II introduced not only the new name but also a deeper understanding of the sacrament in the mid-1960s. Catholics used to dread going to the priest for the Last Rites as it meant the sick person was near death, but they also did not want to die without a final blessing so they often wore medals or cards saying “I am a Catholic. In case of accident, please notify a priest.” In those days, people often died at home rather than a hospital, so practically every Catholic household had a ‘Sick Call Set’, usually in the form of a crucifix that slid open to reveal holy water, small candles and a bit of cotton for anointing.
Why is there a continuing need for the sacraments of healing in our modern society?
We, as Catholics are broken without God. We have always needed his healing and we always will. This is the reason why the Sacraments of Healing were created, because we will always throughout our lives need to be healed by Christ.
Click on the link to go to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, where it gives a detailed description of the sacraments of healing.