"One of the seven sacraments, also known as the 'sacrament of the dying,' administered by a priest to a baptized person who begins to be in danger of death because of illness or old age, through prayer and the anointing of the body with the oil of the sick. The proper effects of the sacrament include a special grace of dealing and comfort to the Christian who is suffering the infirmities of serious illness or old age, and the forgiving of the person's sins (1499, 1520, 1523, 1526-1532)." —Catechism of the Catholic Church
The General Instruction of the Anointing of the Sick reminds us that, “the Letter of James states that the sick are to be anointed in order to raise them up and save them. Great care and concern should be taken to see that those of the faithful whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age receive this sacrament. The sacrament may and should be given to anyone whose health is seriously impaired; it may not be given indiscriminately or to any person whose health in not seriously impaired.”"Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be fogiven." James 5:13-15