tion is a true sacrament, and that, although administered with many unctions, performed each with a peculiar prayer, and under a peculiar form, it constitutes but one sacrament one, not by the inseparable continuity of its parts, but, like every thing composed of parts, by the perfection of the whole. As an edifice which consists of a great variety of parts, derives its perfection from one form, so is this sacrament, although composed of many and different things, but one sign, and its efficacy is that of one thing of which it is the sign.
The pastor will also teach what are the component parts of this Sacrament, its matter and form: these St. James does not omit, and each is replete with its own peculiar mysteries. [1] Its element, then, or matter, as defined by many Councils, particularly by the Council of Trent, consists of oil of olives, consecrated by episcopal hands. No other sort of oil can be the matter of this Sacrament; and this its matter is most significant of its efficacy. Oil is very efficacious in soothing bodily pain, and this Sacrament sooths and alleviates the pain and anguish of the soul. Oil also contributes to restore health and spirits, serves to give light, and refreshes fatigue; and these effects correspond with and are expressive of those produced, through the divine power, on the sick, by the administration of this Sacrament. These few words will suffice in explanation of the matter.
With regard to the form, it consists of the following words, which contain a solemn prayer, and are used at each anointing, according to the sense to which the unction is applied: " BY THIS HOLY UNCTION, AND THROUGH HIS GREAT MERCY, MAY GOD INDULGE THEE WHATEVER SINS THOU HAST COMMITTED BY SIGHT, SMELL, TOUCH, &c. &c." That this is the true form of this Sacrament, we learn from these words of St. James: " Let them pray over him, and the prayer of faith shall save the sick man;" [2] words which intimate that the form is to be applied by way of prayer, although the Apostle does not say of what particular words that prayer is to consist. But this form has been handed down to us by apostolic tradition, and is universally retained, as observed by the Church of Rome, the mother and mistress of all churches. Some, it is true, alter a few words, as when for " God indulge thee," they say, " God remit," or " spare," and sometimes, " heal whatever thou hast committed;" but the sense is evidently the same, and, of course, the form observed by all is strictly the same. Nor should it excite our surprise that, whilst the form of each of the other Sacraments either absolutely signifies what it expresses, such as, " I baptise thee," or " I sign thee with the sign of the cross," or is pronounced, as it were, by way of a command, as in administering Holy Orders, " Receive power," the form of Extreme Unction alone is expressed by way of prayer. The propriety of this difference will at once appear, if we reflect, that this Sacrament
