What are the sacraments of healing?

The sacraments of healing are the sacrament of reconciliation, also known as penance or confession, and the anointing of the sick. The sacraments of healing are two of seven sacraments upheld by the Catholic Church. The other five are the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, the eucharist, holy orders and matrimony.

The sacrament of reconciliation requires the penitent to not only give his confession to a priest, but to also be sincerely contrite for the sin in question. The priest must then absolve the penitent of the sin, and assign penance if necessary. The anointing of the sick requires a priest to anoint a Catholic who is elderly or facing serious illness with blessed oil.