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.
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.
