Sakrament w ewolucji – o namaszczeniu chorych

Abstract

A prayer for the sick and the practice of anointing them with oil have been performed since the beginnings of the Church. The meaning of anointing was explained by the Second Vatican Council: “The last anointment”, which can also, and better, be called the “anointing of the sick” is a Sacrament not only for those who are in direct danger of losing their life. Therefore, the appropriate time to receive this Sacrament is already when the danger of death due to an illness or old age starts to be felt. This Sacrament, in a situation of both physical and spiritual crisis and certain isolation caused by an illness, is in fact a great relief for the sick person as it is also an expression of solidarity. There is a small community of people who accompany the sick person and pray for them, hope for their recovery, suffer with them. The presence of a priest with the sick person expresses a different kind of solidarity, the solidarity with the whole community of the faithful. The Sacrament also reveals an essential dimension of anointment: Christ Himself expresses His solidarity with the suffering of the sick person. The sick person, on the other hand, unites with the suffering and worshipped Lord.