Rachel Evans
Last Rites, or the Celebration of Viaticum, are rituals for the dying that incorporate the sacraments of Confession, Anointing of the Sick, and Eucharist. The Last Rites are performed by a priest to provide spiritual strength and ensure forgiveness of sins and entrance into heaven for the dying person. While the Last Rites are commonly associated with Catholicism, other Christian denominations such as Lutheran Churches and Eastern Orthodox Churches also have their own versions of rituals for the dying, which include sacraments and prayers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are the Last Rites? | Some rituals for the dying, including three sacraments: reconciliation, the Eucharist, and anointing of the sick. |
| Who can administer the Last Rites? | Only priests—Catholic or Orthodox—can reconcile and anoint and confect the Eucharist. |
| Who can receive the Last Rites? | Practicing Catholics. |
| When are the Last Rites administered? | When a person is dying. |
| What are the components of the Last Rites? | Confession, Anointing of the Sick, and Eucharist, with the prayers of Apostles' Creed, and Our Father. |
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What You'll Learn
Anointing of the Sick
The Anointing of the Sick is one of the last rites, which are the final rituals for the dying. It is a sacrament that can be received at any time but is usually postponed until someone is near death. It is also known as Extreme Unction (meaning "final anointing"), holy oil or unction of the sick, the unction or blessing of consecrated oil, the unction of God, and the office of the unction. In Eastern Christianity, it is called euchelaion (prayer-oil).
The sacrament is administered by a bishop or priest, who uses oleum infirmorum ("oil of the sick"), made from olive oil or another pure plant oil blessed by a bishop, to anoint the patient's forehead and other parts of the body while reciting prayers. The Anointing of the Sick is meant to bring comfort, peace, courage, and, if the sick person cannot make a confession, forgiveness of sins. It is based on the Biblical text of James 5:14-15: "Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man. And the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him."
The Anointing of the Sick is not restricted to those on their deathbed. It can be received by anyone who has reached the age of reason and is in danger due to sickness or old age. If a patient's condition worsens, they may receive the sacrament again. In cases of old age or chronic illness, a priest may administer the sacrament multiple times based on their pastoral judgment. The Anointing of the Sick can take place at home, in a hospital, a care institution, or a church.
The Anointing of the Sick is one of the sacraments involved in the last rites, along with Penance (or Confession) and Viaticum (the last reception of Communion). The normal order of administration is Confession, then Anointing, and finally Viaticum.
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Penance/Confession
The Catholic Church considers the last rites to be a sacred and important part of the faith, and among them is the sacrament of Penance, or Confession, which holds a unique and powerful place in the final moments of a person's life. This sacrament is a vital component of the last rites and is often sought by the dying to seek forgiveness and reconcile with God before passing away.
Through the sacrament of Penance, the dying individual has the opportunity to confess their sins and receive absolution, which offers a sense of peace and a clear conscience in their final hours. It is a deeply personal and intimate moment, often conducted privately between the priest and the individual, allowing for a sincere expression of remorse and a heartfelt plea for divine mercy.
In the Catholic tradition, Confession is a sacred moment of honesty and vulnerability. The penitent confesses their sins to a priest, who then offers guidance, advice, and a penance—a specific act of prayer, charity, or sacrifice intended as reparation for the confessed sins. This act of penance is not a payment for sins but rather a path to healing and reconciliation with God and the community.
For the last rites, this sacrament takes on an even more profound significance. It represents a final opportunity for the dying to reconcile themselves to God and the Church, to unburden their souls, and to seek peace and solace in the knowledge that they are forgiven. The priest, as the representative of Christ, offers absolution, assuring the penitent of God's infinite mercy and welcoming them back into full communion with the Church.
The ritual itself is straightforward. The priest, vested in the traditional stole, hears the confession of the dying person and offers words of comfort and assurance of God's love and mercy. The penitent may be encouraged to express their sorrow and seek forgiveness, and the priest may offer specific prayers or blessings. The sacrament concludes with the priest imparting absolution, making the sign of the cross over the penitent as a final blessing.
For Catholics, the sacrament of Penance is a powerful moment of grace, offering healing and reconciliation, and in the context of the last rites, it takes on an even deeper significance, providing comfort and peace at the end of life's journey.
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Viaticum/Holy Communion
Viaticum, derived from the Latin word meaning "provision for a journey", is the Eucharist (also called Holy Communion) administered to a person who is dying. It is the last of the three sacraments of healing, the other two being Penance and Anointing of the Sick.
The Eucharist is given in its usual form, with the added words: "May the Lord Jesus Christ protect you and lead you to eternal life". If the dying person cannot take solid food, the Eucharist may be administered via the wine alone, as the Catholic Church holds that Christ exists entirely (body, blood, soul, and divinity) in both the consecrated solid and liquid elements.
The sacrament of Extreme Unction (Final Anointing) is often administered immediately before giving Viaticum if a priest is available. Unlike the Anointing of the Sick, Viaticum may be administered by a priest, deacon, or extraordinary minister, using the reserved Blessed Sacrament.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church and those Eastern Catholic Churches that follow the Byzantine Rite, the last rites consist of the Sacred Mysteries (or sacraments) of Confession and the reception of Holy Communion. In Lutheran Churches, last rites are known as the Commendation of the Dying, in which the priest opens in the name of the triune God, includes a prayer, reads from one of the psalms, recites the Lord's Prayer, and then anoints the dying individual with oil before they receive the sacraments of Holy Absolution and Holy Communion.
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Reconciliation
The Last Rites, or the sacraments of the dying, are a series of rituals and prayers performed for a person who is in danger of death. The Last Rites are not necessarily the final rites, and they can be performed for individuals facing imminent danger, such as soldiers going into battle.
The Last Rites are composed of three sacraments: Reconciliation (or confession), the Eucharist (communion or "Viaticum"), and the Anointing of the Sick. The sacraments are meant to provide spiritual support and comfort to the dying person and prepare them for the afterlife.
In cases where an individual is unconscious or unable to speak, the priest will lead them in an Act of Contrition before moving on to confession if they regain consciousness. If the person is a non-Catholic, someone who has been excommunicated, or is no longer a practicing Catholic, the priest may adjust the rites accordingly. They may offer to perform a baptism or only provide confession and the Anointing of the Sick.
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Apostolic Pardon
Last Rites are rituals for the dying that include three sacraments: reconciliation (confession), the Eucharist (Holy Communion), and anointing of the sick. The Apostolic Pardon is a blessing with an indulgence that is given as part of the Last Rites. It is granted at the conclusion of the anointing of the sick if the recipient is in danger of death. Confession forgives the eternal punishment for sin, while the Apostolic Pardon forgives temporal punishment due to sin. In other words, it helps Catholics who are dying enter heaven.
The usual process is confession, followed by anointing of the sick, and then the Apostolic Pardon. The prayers of the Apostolic Pardon are pronounced after the sacraments have been administered. The Handbook of Indulgences states:
> Priests who minister the sacraments to the Christian faithful who are in a life-and-death situation should not neglect to impart to them the apostolic blessing, with its attached indulgence.
The current form of the Apostolic Pardon blessing is:
> Through the holy mysteries of our redemption, may almighty God release you from all punishments in this life and in the life to come. May he open to you the gates of paradise and welcome you to everlasting life.
> By the authority which the Apostolic See has given me, I grant you a full pardon and the remission of all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
The granting of the Apostolic Pardon is not an automatic guarantee that no purgation is necessary. The usual conditions for obtaining a plenary indulgence apply: confession, Communion, and (if possible for the dying) prayer for the intention of the pontiff. It is further required that all attachment to sin, even venial sin, be absent.
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Frequently asked questions
The Last Rites are rituals for the dying, encompassing several sacraments: Penance or Confession (reconciliation), the Eucharist or Holy Communion (Viaticum), and Anointing of the Sick.
The priest will first speak with the dying person to comfort them and assess their spiritual needs. If the person is a non-Catholic or unable to speak, the priest will lead them in an Act of Contrition. For practising Catholics who can speak, the priest will move on to Confession. The priest will then lead the person in the Our Father prayer before offering the Eucharist or Holy Communion. The priest concludes the Last Rites by offering blessings and reciting prayers.
The Last Rites are generally administered to Catholics who are practising or in good standing with the Church. However, the priest may adjust the rites for non-Catholics or those who have been excommunicated. In these cases, the priest may offer to perform a baptism or only Confession and the Anointing of the Sick.
The Last Rites should be administered when the recipient is aware and able to benefit most. It is recommended to call a priest sooner rather than later as the sacraments can be received at any time, not just when someone is near death.
