Chapter 5 S i SDn i pet Eui ar mat i tht eui ’oras gnl esCn&ac r ye Imminence Sacramental Anointing of the Sick & Dying Emergency rooms, critical care units, military operations, and med-flights are places where deaths occur most frequently. The assessment of life-threatening injuries — sudden grave illness, catastrophic events, trauma, or attempted suicide — obliges the attending nurse to call for Pastoral Care. Not only is it their right, but it is absolutely critical that these patients receive appropriate spiritual/pastoral care. Therefore, in such situations, the Nurse for Divine Mercy should immediately call for Pastoral Care, especially if the patient is a Catholic, so that, in addition to the Anointing of the Sick, the Sacraments of Reconciliation (Confession) and the Viaticum (that is, Holy Communion for the dying), may be administered. In Holy Viaticum, Christ Himself in the Eucharist offers to be the “Companionon-the-way” for the final journey into eternity. The Priest by his presence brings consolation to the dying person and family, Sacramental Anointing of the Sick, and Apostolic Pardon for complete remission of sins and punishment. Thus assisted, the gravely sick or dying person will more easily bear the trials and hardships of sickness and pain, resist temptations to despair, and even gain healing in body, if God sees that this would be for the soul’s ultimate benefit. ©Marie Romagnano • Our Lady of Lourdes Sanctuary 65
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