The Pope asks priests to ensure communion to the sick and elderly

Benedict XVI urged the entire ecclesiastical community and parish communities, in particular, to ensure "the possibility of the sacramental communion to those who, for reasons of health or age, can not approach the place of worship".

The words of the Pope are part of your message on the occasion of the 20th day world of the patient, with the slogan "get up and go, your faith has saved you!", which by tradition is held on 11 February, day of the Virgin of Lourdes, and whose content has been published today by the Vatican Press Office.

"Is important, he says, that the priests who carry out their delicate work in hospitals, centres for medical treatment, and close to the rooms of patients to feel real"Ministers of the sick", i.e."sign and instrument of the compassion of Christ, he must reach every man marked by suffering,".

The Bishop of Rome highlights "medicinal value" of the u000asacrament of penance which must also be provided to the sick.

"Through the same - highlights - the moment of suffering, which could be tempted to abandon the descorazonamiento and despair, can transform in time of grace for reencontrase himself and review his own life, recognizing the errors and failures".

The German Pope concerned also that the sacrament of the anointing of the sick should not be considered "one minor Sacrament" with respect to the others and deserves "more attention", "theological reflection both in the pastoral action with the sick".

The Pope recalls that the reading of the Gospels reveals that Jesus had a special care for the sick and that it was instituted for them a specific sacrament: anointing of the sick, which already exists in the first community Christian.

The Bishop of Rome emphasizes that to receive said sacramento should not expect is "where the" u000a"ill be at the end of life".

The subject of this message for the 20th World Day of the sick - "Get up and go, your faith has saved you!"-is also related to the coming "year of the faith", which will begin on October 11, 2012, "an opportunity conducive and precious to rediscover the power and beauty of the faith", affirms.

The Pope Ratzinger wishes to "encourage the sick and those who suffer to always find a safety in the faith, fed by the word of God, personal prayer and the sacraments", while invites "pastors to be always available to your celebrations for the sick".

And thanks on his behalf and in the Church to those who work in the world of health, as also to the families, "because in their professional competence and silence, many times without naming the name of Christ, show it specifically".

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