Which sacrament is described as offering spiritual comfort to the ill?

• A. Anointing of the Sick
• B. Baptism
• C. Penance
• D. Holy Orders

Answer: (A)

In medieval Catholic practice, sacraments are grace-filled rites that meet specific spiritual needs, and the one designed to offer comfort to someone who is ill is Anointing of the Sick. This rite focuses on giving the ill person spiritual consolation, strength to endure illness, and, if needed, forgiveness of sins when confession isn’t possible. It often involves anointing with oil and prayers by a priest, and it could be given as illness worsened or near death approached.

Baptism is about entering the Christian community and the life of grace from the start, not specifically about comforting someone who is sick. Penance is the reconciliation of sins through confession and forgiveness, not a rite aimed at comforting illness. Holy Orders concerns the ordination of clergy, a future priest or bishop, and has no direct purpose of comforting the sick.