THEOLOGOS 1/2015 | ŠTÚDIE I Pastoral visits and Holy Communion Patients II Rites of Anointing of the Sick (ordinary rite, the rite of anointing within Mass., Exercising the anointing of a large gathering of the faithful.) III Viaticum (administer Viaticum during Mass., And outside Mass.) IV The rites of the sacraments patient who is in close danger of death (combined rite of penance, anointing of the and Viaticum and the anointing rite granted without Viaticum) V The rite of Confirmation granting in danger of death VI Commendation of the dying VII Various texts helpful in rituals relating to patients (dedication of the oil of sick, reading the Bible, formulas act of penance, prayer, blessings).97 The combining of the seven chapters of the new rite allowed for comparison with existing ordinances It also allowed for the opportunity to see how the Second Vatican Council as well as the Consilium and the working group Coetus 23 implemented further postulates The new rite of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is therefore the culmination of eight years of work of individual groups As for the topic under consideration, the Introduction is of significant value and the most important thoughts should be reviewed It repeats the information announced in Sacram Unctionem Infirmorum however it adds new elements Specifically important points are devoted to human disease and its importance from the point of view of the mystery of salvation Sickness and the sick man are presented from a Christological and ecclesiological perspective This is seen from the first words, give the understanding that Christ is the one who showed his love particularly to the sick This was expressed in his earthly life in that he often visited and healed the sick Even though „suffering and human disease is one of the most difficult problems always disturbing humanity“98, the light of faith and the word of Christ will help the faithful to penetrate deeper into the mystery of suffering and to bear it bravely Referring to Jesus‘ answer to the question posed by the disciples at the sight of the blind man: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?“ (Jn 9:12) The ritual notes that, in principle, suffering cannot be understood as a punishment for specific sins committed by man This implies however, that from the situation of sinful humanity – all sickness and suffering associated with it are the result of a breach of the order, which in turn is a consequence of 97 98 In the Polish ritual the chapters have been divided into three parts: I Pastoral care of the sick (Chapter 1, 2); II Pastoral care of the dying (Chapter – 7); III Optional texts (the last chapter) This ritual has been enhanced – in relation to the Latin version – including full texts of all the biblical readings and Mass forms SCh 39