Anointing of the Sick or the Extreme Unction?

Abstract

Present study is a trail to think about the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick in three dimensions: purposefulness of institution of the sacrament, rediscovering it in the practice of the Church and consciousness of its meaning among modern catholics. The Anointing of the Sick is an element of “sacramental economy” which means new presence of Christ among us in the Church, who acts through sacraments. The purposes of the sacraments are also: the sanctification of man, building of the Church and giving glory to God. Since ages this sacrament has been practiced in the very last moments of human life, which made it “occasional” gracious help and not an effective sign of saving presence of God in the process of human's difficult experiences.

Therefore, there is a need of a good mediation of the doctrine in order to explain the essence of the sacrament and to overcome false visions and theories, also those connected with calling it “extreme unction,” What is more, the practice of administering this sacrament to all people of bad health, either physically or mentally, should be emphasized, as well as its ecclesial dimension.