By Charles Igwe
In his monthly prayer intention, Pope Francis has focused on the pastoral care of the sick, emphasizing that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is not exclusively for those at death’s door. In a video message released through the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, Pope Francis urged the faithful to pray that the sacrament grants strength and hope to those who receive it and their loved ones, making it a visible sign of compassion.
Pope Francis clarified a common misconception: the Anointing of the Sick is not merely a precursor to death. “Thinking this way means giving up every hope,” he said. “It means taking for granted that after the priest, the undertaker will arrive.” Instead, the sacrament is intended to offer consolation and strength to the sick and their families.
The Pope highlighted that the Church’s sacraments are gifts meant to bless, enliven, and console. He emphasized that the Anointing of the Sick is a communal and relational sacrament, involving the entire Christian community in supporting those who are suffering. “In times of pain and illness, it is always good to know that we are not alone,” he said, noting that the presence of the priest and others during the anointing represents the solidarity of the whole Church.
Pope Francis reassured that the Anointing of the Sick brings Jesus close to those in pain, offering relief, strength, and forgiveness of sins. He pointed out that it is not synonymous with miraculous bodily healing or imminent death. Often overlooked, the sacrament provides a profound pastoral significance as “Jesus himself comes to relieve those who are sick, to give them strength, to give them hope, to help them; and also to forgive their sins.”
This call to prayer and deeper understanding of the sacrament aims to reaffirm its role in nurturing faith and hope, supporting the sick, and embodying the compassion of the Christian community.
