Last Rites
“Last Rites” are the combination of the Sacrament of
Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick (”Extreme Unction”) and
Reception of Holy Communion. The last is called viaticum, when the
Eucharist becomes “provisions for the wayfarer.”
Each one of these sacraments, in its own way, presumes a
cogent and responsive recipient. Waiting until a family member is
unconscious or otherwise purely passive makes the reception of the
Last Rites in their integrity impossible.
Solicitation of the Last Rites springs from the desire of a
devout Catholic to 1) confess, 2) be anointed and 3) receive Holy
Communion. The parish priest, for his part, is then pleased to visit,
often remembering or hearing of the individual’s dedication to Christ
over the years and wanting to make these spiritual gifts available at
this critical time of transition. Such an approach differs from the
scenario where family members hastily seek to impose the anointing
upon an unresponsive individual who never expressed the desire to
receive all three sacraments as offered by the Church.
An appointment for the Last Rites should be made while the
individual is still sufficiently alert and able to respond. Although
emergencies do exist, so often people wait until the last instant,
press the parish priest to visit at a moment’s notice and then shame
him if he can’t immediately drop everything he was doing to rush
over. None of this should even have to be mentioned, but the
practice of all three sacraments together has suffered sufficiently to
make some commentary necessary. “Last Rites” do not mean last
minute.
Those caring for the sick or elderly person should make efforts
to prepare that individual for the Sacrament of Reconciliation by
assisting in an “examination of conscience,” so that there is
something to confess. Common faults rise from the challenges of
being confined, weak, ill and in pain, or enduring mental frustration,
irritation and feelings of neglect. Some people are burdened by not
having forgiven another for some old offense. There might be sins of
a more serious nature that have never been confessed. Even past
faults that still cause remorse, though already forgiven, may be
added. You can find one examination here.
While the Sacrament of Reconciliation is private, family
members are welcome to be present afterwards for the anointing and
reception of Holy Communion. A little table or other space can be
prepared beforehand with a tablecloth and candles (being careful not
to cause a fire) and other sacramentals like a crucifix and statue to
make a place for the Eucharist when the priest arrives.
Beyond that, St. Edwin Parish offers a simple anointing after
the 8:00am Mass on the second Friday of the first month of each
new quarter. You can find the exact dates on our Master Calendar,
here. We welcome visitors who would like to bring a family member
or friend to be anointed. Typically those who receive the sacrament
are 65 and older and/or with some infirmity.
Last Rites, received with care and foresight, provide maximum
consolation and spiritual benefit to the faithful. They constitute one
of the Church’s most special gifts to remove “the sting of death” and
gracefully assist an individual preparing for that last step into
eternity.
Last Rites
“Last Rites” are the
combination of the Sacrament of
Reconciliation, Anointing of the
Sick and Reception of Holy
Communion. The last is called
viaticum, when the Eucharist
becomes “provisions for the
wayfarer.”
Each one of these sacraments,
in its own way, presumes a cogent
and responsive recipient. Waiting
until a family member is
unconscious or otherwise purely
passive makes the reception of the
Last Rites in their integrity
impossible.
Solicitation of the Last Rites
springs from the desire of a devout
Catholic to 1) confess, 2) be
anointed and 3) receive Holy
Communion. The parish priest, for
his part, is then pleased to visit,
often remembering or hearing of
the individual’s dedication to
Christ over the years and wanting
to make these spiritual gifts
available at this critical time of
transition. Such an approach
differs from the scenario where
family members hastily seek to
impose the anointing upon an
unresponsive individual who never
expressed the desire to receive all
three sacraments as offered by the
Church.
An appointment for the Last
Rites should be made while the
individual is still sufficiently alert
and able to respond. Although
emergencies do exist, so often
people wait until the last instant,
press the parish priest to visit at a
moment’s notice and then shame
him if he can’t immediately drop
everything he was doing to rush
over. None of this should even have
to be mentioned, but the practice
of all three sacraments together
has suffered sufficiently to make
some commentary necessary. “Last
Rites” do not mean last minute.
Those caring for the sick or
elderly person should make efforts
to prepare that individual for the
Sacrament of Reconciliation by
assisting in an “examination of
conscience,” so that there is
something to confess. Common
faults rise from the challenges of
being confined, weak, ill and in
pain, or enduring mental
frustration, irritation and feelings
of neglect. Some people are
burdened by not having forgiven
another for some old offense.
There might be sins of a more
serious nature that have never
been confessed. Even past faults
that still cause remorse, though
already forgiven, may be added.
You can find one examination
here.
While the Sacrament of
Reconciliation is private, family
members are welcome to be
present afterwards for the
anointing and reception of Holy
Communion. A little table or other
space can be prepared beforehand
with a tablecloth and candles
(being careful not to cause a fire)
and other sacramentals like a
crucifix and statue to make a place
for the Eucharist when the priest
arrives.
Beyond that, St. Edwin Parish
offers a simple anointing after the
8:00am Mass on the second Friday
of the first month of each new
quarter. You can find the exact
dates on our Master Calendar,
here. We welcome visitors who
would like to bring a family
member or friend to be anointed.
Typically those who receive the
sacrament are 65 and older and/or
with some infirmity.
Last Rites, received with care
and foresight, provide maximum
consolation and spiritual benefit to
the faithful. They constitute one of
the Church’s most special gifts to
remove “the sting of death” and
gracefully assist an individual
preparing for that last step into
eternity.