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Objection 1: It would seem that the whole body should be anointed in
this sacrament. For, according to Augustine (De Trin. vi,
6), "the whole soul is in every part of the body." Now this
sacrament is given chiefly in order to heal the soul. Therefore the
whole body ought to be anointed.
Objection 2: Further, the remedy should be applied to the part
affected by the disease. But sometimes the disease is general, and
affects the whole body, as a fever does. Therefore the whole body
should be anointed.
Objection 3: Further, in Baptism the whole body is dipped under
the water. Therefore in this sacrament the whole body should be
anointed.
On the contrary, stands the rite observed throughout the Church,
according to which in this sacrament the sick man is anointed, only in
certain fixed parts of the body.
I answer that, This sacrament is shown to us under the form of a
healing. Now bodily healing has to be effected, by applying the
remedy, not to the whole body, but to those parts where the root of
the disease is seated. Consequently the sacramental unction also ought
to be applied to those parts only in which the spiritual sickness is
rooted.
Reply to Objection 1: Although the whole soul is, as to its
essence, in each part of the body, it is not as to its powers which
are the roots of sinful acts. Hence certain fixed parts have to be
anointed, those, namely, in which powers have their being.
Reply to Objection 2: The remedy is not always applied to the part
affected by the disease, but, with greater reason, to the part where
the root of the disease is seated.
Reply to Objection 3: Baptism is given under the form of washing:
and a bodily washing cleanses only the part to which it is applied; for
this reason Baptism is applied to the whole body. It is different
with Extreme Unction for the reason given above.
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