ANOINTING OF THE SICK
“With the sacred anointing of the sick and with the prayer of presbyters, the entire Church commends the sick to the suffering and glorified Lord so that he may heal and save them. He even encourages them to join freely in the passion and death of Christ.” and thus contribute to the good of the People of God” (Second Vatican Council).
disease in human life
Sickness and suffering have always been among the most serious problems that afflict human life. In illness, man experiences his impotence, his limits and his finitude. Every disease can make us see death.
Illness can lead to anguish, to turning in on oneself, sometimes even to despair and rebellion against God. It can also make a person more mature, help him to discern in his life what is not essential in order to turn to what is. Very often, illness pushes us to a search for God, a return to him.
A sacrament for the sick
The Church believes and confesses that, among the seven sacraments, there is a sacrament especially designed to comfort those afflicted by illness: the Anointing of the Sick:
Who should receive this sacrament?
The Anointing of the Sick is not a sacrament just for those who are about to die. For this reason, it is considered an opportune time to receive it when the faithful begin to be in danger of death, due to illness or old age, before an important operation, elderly people whose forces are weakening.
The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has the following effects:
— the union of the sick person to the Passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church;
— the consolation, peace and courage to endure in a Christian way the sufferings of illness or old age;
— forgiveness of sins if the sick person has not been able to obtain it through the sacrament of penance;
— the restoration of bodily health, if it suits spiritual health;
— preparation for the passage to eternal life.
The rite consists of anointing the forehead and hands of the sick person, anointing accompanied by the liturgical prayer of the celebrating priest who asks for the special grace of this sacrament.
This sacrament can be received several times throughout life. Before the Second Vatican Council, this sacrament was called “Extreme Unction”.
Father Jorge Loring tells us the following anecdotes about the anointing of the sick:
“When one is in danger of death, it is necessary to notify the priest so that he can give him the spiritual help proper to these moments, that is, so that he confesses him, gives him the Holy Viticum and the Anointing of the Sick. because the patient is too seriously ill with the danger that, when the priest arrives, he will no longer have the lucidity and calm to make a good confession. No one is dying to call the priest on time. On the other hand, there are many who die in sin for having called the priest too late.
Those who, seeing their relatives, friends, neighbors, etc., in danger of death, do not notify the priest in time to assist them, bear an enormous responsibility.
It may be that many are condemned by a misunderstood love of their relatives. They fear that the patient will be frightened when receiving spiritual aid, and they are not afraid that he will present himself before the judgment of God with his soul in sin. As if in a house fire you don’t want to tell the neighbors who are sleeping for fear of scaring them. What a rare charity!
In addition, if the sick person is frightened, this fright will be temporary, and long experience teaches that when sick people go to confession and take communion, they remain very calm. It’s natural! A Catholic in danger of death, he is always glad to receive the aid of a priest.
Some people commit their family to let them know in advance when it is time to receive the Last Sacraments. On the other hand, what tremendous remorse must be felt by those who feel guilty for having allowed a sick person to die without spiritual aid! On the contrary, what great consolation must be felt by those to whom it was due that the sick man made a good confession before he died! And, what a great gratitude that soul will keep for all eternity!
But whoever was condemned because the people around him did not want to call the priest in time, what feeling do you have for them?
I remember once I went to visit a sick person who I knew was seriously ill. As soon as I was alone with him he told me:
– How happy I felt, Father, to see you enter through that door! I wanted to call him, but I didn’t dare so as not to scare the family.
When leaving the family tells me:
– How we thank you, Father, for having come. We were looking forward to it, but we did not dare to tell the patient, so that he would not be frightened!
what do you think? Some and others wishing to call the priest; and, due to an absurd fear on both sides, a patient was going to die without confession. What barbarity! On the other hand, after the confession, how calm for everyone!”
For more information on other sacraments, consult http:///sacramentos.html
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