Pope’s July prayer intention: For pastoral care of the sick
Vatican news
Pope Francis publishes his prayer intention for the month of July and invites Christians to pray that the Church shows God's closeness to those suffering from illness.
By Devin Watkins
“Let us pray that the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick may grant the strength of the Lord to those who receive it and to their loved ones, and that it may become for all an ever more visible sign of compassion and hope.”
Pope Francis made this invitation to Christians around the world in The Pope Video, which accompanies his monthly prayer intention.
The Pope invites the Church to pray for the pastoral care of the sick during the month of July 2024.
In the video, he recalls that the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is not only intended for people at death's door.
If anyone thinks that a priest's offering the sacrament means he is about to die, the pope said, he has adopted a hopeless view.
“Let us remember that the Anointing of the Sick is one of the 'sacraments of healing,' of 'restoration,' which heals the spirit,” the Pope said.
He added that the sacrament is still available for sick people, especially the elderly.
“When a person is very ill,” he said, “it is advisable to give him the Anointing of the Sick.”
Pope Francis concluded by praying that the sacrament would become a more visible sign of compassion and hope.
Consolation in case of illness
A press release accompanying the Pope's video, produced by the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Networksaid the video was filmed with the help of the U.S. dioceses of Allentown and Los Angeles.
It provides a visual aid to situations in which the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick may be administered.
Two stories of illness, very different in terms of age and clinical situation, are interwoven to highlight how God's love for us is expressed in the sacrament.
Father Frederic Fornos, SJ, international director of the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, said the pope is inviting Catholics to reconsider our preconceived ideas about the sacrament.
“Pope Francis hopes that we can rediscover the full depth and true meaning of this sacrament,” he said, “not only as a preparation for death, but also as a sacrament that offers comfort to the sick in times of serious illness and strength to their loved ones and those who care for them.”
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