157. The Last Sacraments

A good life is usually an assurance of a happy death. One who has lived all his days in an effort to please God is not likely to turn an impenitent sinner at the last moment.

2. A wicked life is usually a forecast of a bad death. A hardened sinner refuses the Last Sacraments. Let us all pray God to deliver us from a bad death.

What are the Last Sacraments?

— They are the sacraments administered to a person dangerously ill, and include Confession, Viaticum, and Extreme Unction.

1. The sick person first makes his confession, then receives the Holy Eucharist in the Viaticum, and finally is given Extreme Unction.

Extreme Unction is a remedy; and as medicine is for the living, not the dead, so those dead in sin will not profit from this spiritual remedy. However, if the patient is physically unable to confess, the Church accepts the intention and administers Extreme Unction without confession.

2. When a person is dangerously sick, we should call the priest to administer the Last Sacraments to him. It is very wrong to delay calling the priest till the person is already on the point of death. While his mind is clear, he can prepare for the Last Sacraments better, profit more from them.

When Extreme Unction is given while the person is still strong, there is more likelihood of his recovering. We have a serious obligation, if we are taking care of a sick person, to call the priest the moment there is danger of death. Except in cases of emergency, the pastor of the parish to which the sick person belongs, or the pastor's curates or assistants, should be called to administer the Last Sacraments.

3. Some people do not call the priest to administer the Last Sacraments because they fear the patient would be frightened and become worse.

This is a great mistake for actual observation has proved that a sick person is always more calm and peaceful after the visit of the priest. Our Lord instituted Extreme Unction in order to quiet and comfort the sick, not the dead.

4. It is advisable to call the priest to visit the sick in any serious illness, even though there be no apparent danger of death. It is the priest's duty to visit the sick and administer the sacraments they need.

"My son, in your sickness neglect not yourself, but pray to the Lord, and He shall heal you" (Ecclus. 38:9).

5. We can help a sick person by nursing and consoling him. Every day we should make with him and for him acts of faith, hope, and charity. Above all, we should help him feel absolute resignation to God's will.

It is a mistake to try to help a dangerously sick person by conversing on worldly topics or retailing gossip, or holding out false hopes of recovery.

How should we help a sick person prepare for the Last Sacraments?

— We should help a sick person prepare for the Last Sacraments both spiritually and corporally.

1. Before the priest arrives we should help the patient get ready for his Confession. Let us say with him acts of contrition, and ejaculations to keep him united with God.

2. The patient's face, hands, and feet should be sponged with a wet towel.

There should be ready towards the foot of the bed, to the right, a table with a clean white cloth. On it should be a crucifix, two lighted candles, some holy water, and a glass of fresh water with a tablespoon. There should also be a clean napkin, a saucer with six balls of cotton, and a piece of soft bread, or one or two slices of lemon for the hands of the priest, for wiping off the anointing. A basin of water and a towel should be near by, so the priest can wash his hands after the anointing.

The following is a diagram showing the placing:

              Foot of Bed

              2   1   3

                Corporal

              8   +   7

              4   5   6

              Head of Bed

1. crucifix

2. candles

3. glass of water

4. spoon

5. bottle of holy water

6. folded napkin

7. saucer with six balls of cotton and a small piece of soft bread

8. Upon the priest's arrival, if he is carrying the Blessed Sacrament, we should meet him with a lighted blessed candle, in silence.

The priest himself brings the corporal, on which he lays the pyx containing the Blessed Sacrament.

How can we help a dying person?

— We can help a dying person with prayer.

1. We should kneel near the patient's bed and recite the prayers for the dying, which may be found in most prayer-books. We should suggest to him short ejaculations that he can easily repeat, at least in his mind. We should recite with him especially those prayers which are enriched with plenary indulgences for the hour of death.

The Papal benediction with attached plenary indulgence is gained by saying the holy Name of Jesus. If unable to say it, the person must at least think it, and with contrition kiss a blessed crucifix.

2. The following prayer is enriched with a plenary indulgence at the hour of death: "O my God, I now at this moment readily and willingly accept at Thy hand whatever kind of death Thou mayest wish to send me, with all its pains, penalties, sorrows."

A person in good health, who recites this prayer in the state of grace, after confession and communion, may gain a plenary indulgence to take effect at the hour of death.

If we reflect that a plenary indulgence gained with proper dispositions means that the soul will go straight from death-bed to Heaven, we would be more zealous in helping the dying gain one.

3. During the agony, we should sprinkle the bed and the dying person with holy water. Those around should pray, instead of fussing, or showing too extreme grief.

The first thing which we can offer immediately to God in relief of the soul of a loved one is an act of resignation to His holy will. Let us humbly say, "Lord, Thy will be done!" In those places where the beautiful custom is practised, the "passing bell" should be ordered rung, in order that other Christians may pray for the departed soul.

In case of sudden or unexpected death, should a priest be called?

— In case of sudden or unexpected death, a priest should be called always, because absolution and Extreme Unction can be given conditionally for some time after apparent death.

If a person is apparently dead and has not received the Last Sacraments, we should immediately call the priest. A person may continue to live two or three hours after death has apparently taken place, especially if it is sudden. In that case Extreme Unction will avail his soul.