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Throughout the
Middle East people anointed guests with oil as a sign of hospitality and for
healing. However, there is no account of
Jesus or the Blessed Mother anointing the sick with oil. The apostles and disciples, however do employ
this gesture frequently as part of their ministry. Both women and men were ordained to baptize and anoint pagan converts to the faith in the early days of the Christianity.
In Mark 6:13, when Jesus sends the twelve disciples are out to preach, they are told to anoint the sick and heal them. In Mark 14:3-9 when Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus' feet, he praises her. Jesus interpreted this anointing as a sign of hospitality, that was not given to him by his hosts. In James 5:14 all the faithful are advised to call for the church elders to anoint the sick with oil for healing.
In Mark 6:13, when Jesus sends the twelve disciples are out to preach, they are told to anoint the sick and heal them. In Mark 14:3-9 when Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus' feet, he praises her. Jesus interpreted this anointing as a sign of hospitality, that was not given to him by his hosts. In James 5:14 all the faithful are advised to call for the church elders to anoint the sick with oil for healing.
