The Sacrament of Anointing is appropriate for those whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or advanced age. This includes persons who are seriously ill whether at home, in hospitals or in nursing homes, as well as children who are old enough to experience benefit from the Sacrament. Although frequency of anointing is a matter of pastoral judgment, a person may request the sacrament again if the sickness recurs or if the condition becomes more serious.

Correlation with The Catechism of the Catholic Church and The Rite of the Pastoral Care of the Sick PCS 5: The Lord himself showed great concern for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the sick and commanded his followers to do likewise. This is clear from the gospels, and above all from the existence of the sacrament of anointing, which he instituted and which is made known in the Letter of James. Since then the Church has never ceased to celebrate this sacrament for its members by the anointing and the prayer of its priests, commending those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them (see James 5:14-16)