La Unción de los enfermos – sacramento de alivio y salvación según el c. 998 del Código de Juan Pablo II

Abstract

The Code of Canon Law of John Paul II sets forth in can. 998 as follows: “The anointing of the sick, by which the Church commends to the suffering and glorified Lord the faithful who are dangerously ill, so that he may support and save them, is conferred by anointing them with oil and pronouncing the words prescribed in the liturgical books”. Through this sacramental entrusting of a sick person, the Church shows redemptive action taken by the Christ himself, who shall support the sick person with the power of God’s grace in suffering, impatience, fear, and above all in physical and spiritual weakness as well as in experienced doubts and weakening in faith. A family and persons ministering the sick (priests, hospital chaplains) should earlier take care of proper instructing about the nature of anointing of the sick and adequate preparation of the sick to receive this grace from the healing Christ. This may take place through conversation, catechesis, supporting with words of faith and common prayer, arousing a wish to receive the Christ in the mystery of anointing. This article consists of seven points: 1. The letter from James as the starting point of the discussion; 2. Several historical facts; 3. Catechism of the Catholic Church concerning the sacrament of the anointing of the sick; 4. Sacramental grace; 5. Who should and can receive the sacrament of the anointing; 6. People responsible for the better reception of the sacrament by the sick; 7. Conclusion.