Anointing of the sick: community celebration

With the recent more celebrative attitude toward the sacraments comes the concern that people will not recognize the ceremonies' call to conversion and to the sharing in Christ's mystery--experiences that occur during life's crises, such as serious illness. The Anointing of the Sick permits the recipient to witness Christ's own suffering and thus is much more than a "blessing" for individuals. It is a rite that must be celebrated in the context of the community's total pastoral life as part of an overall program of care of the sick. This community attention to the sick encourages anointing as soon as serious sickness is apparent, when the recipient can enter the ceremony consciously. The sacrament can be fruitfully celebrated with unconscious persons, however. With friends and relatives present, the event can minister to the community as well as to the sick person. Sickness should not be too narrowly defined. Elderly, suicidal, or alcoholic persons who wish to relate their conditions with Christ's sufferings can benefit from this sacrament. The need for anointing is often greatest in the health care setting, where time may be lacking for proper catechesis or celebration. To remedy this, pastoral care personnel can prepare a brochure explaining to patients and families the facility's sacramental practice and can encourage family and staff members to be present at the rite. They can avoid administering the sacrament hurriedly. These actions focus on the purpose of the anointing: to provide an opportunity for people to join in a celebration of their faith.