Sacram Unctionem Infirmorum

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With the Apostolic Constitution Sacram Unctionem Infirmorum of November 30, 1972, Pope Paul VI. the Papal Approval , for the celebration of the anointing of the sick and the ordinance of pastoral care for the sick established by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Order of the Sacraments . The development of this new order, with which the term “Last Unction” was changed to “Anointing of the Sick”, was based on the document “ Sacrosanctum Concilium ” based on the Second Vatican Council and was included in Codex Iuris Canonici (CIC) No. . The principle of anointing the sick is:

“The sacrament of the anointing of the sick is given to those whose health is threatened by anointing them on the forehead and on the hands with properly consecrated olive oil or, depending on the circumstances, with another properly consecrated vegetable oil and saying the following words once: ' Through this holy anointing the Lord help you in his rich mercy, he stand by you with the power of the Holy Spirit: The Lord who frees you from sin, save you, in his grace he lift you up [cf. CIC, can. 847, § 1]. "

The regulation of the oil to be used was also very important; Paul VI explained that in the future, depending on the circumstances, other oil than the previously prescribed olive oil can be used. Furthermore, the definition of the illness circumstances is discussed, on the occasion of which the anointing of the sick can be donated. Likewise, the real main concern, namely the forgiveness of sins and the reception of Holy Communion , is placed in the foreground. Paul VI expressly emphasizes point out that the anointing of the sick is not a supportive healing process. The Pope repeats the biblical reasoning backed up by the letter of James :

“If any of you are sick, call the presbyters of the community; Let them pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins he will be forgiven. ( Jak 5,14-15  EU ) "

Finally, it is ordered that the old rite may continue to be used until December 31, 1973 , but that from January 1, 1974, the new rite may only be used.

literature

  • Rudolf Fischer-Wollpert, do you know? - Lexicon of religious and ideological questions, Verlag Friedrich Pustet, Regensburg, 3rd expanded edition, 1982, ISBN 3-7917-0738-8

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