Here are some extracts from some of the liturgical books that may be useful for a lay person.
From the Rite of Baptism for Children:
"21. The shorter rite for baptizing a child in danger of death and in the absence of the ordinary minister has a twofold structure:
- At the moment of death or when there is urgency because of imminent danger of death, the minister, omitting all other ceremonies, pours water (not necessarily blessed but real and natural water) on the head of the child and pronounces the customary formulary.
- If, however, it is prudently judged that there is sufficient time, several of the faithful may be gathered together and, if one of them is able to lead the others in a short prayer, …"
The “customary formulary” is:
“60. … He baptizes the child saying:
N., I baptize you in the name of the Father,
He immerses the child or pours water upon it.
and of the Son,
He immerses the child or pours water upon it a second time.
and of the Holy Spirit.
He immerses the child or pours water upon it a third time.”
From the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults:
"3. CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF A PERSON IN DANGER OF DEATH
…
370. Persons, whether catechumens or not, who are in danger of death but are not a the point of death and so are able to hear and answer the questions involved may be baptized with this short rite. …
- Persons who have already been accepted as catechumens must make a promise that upon recovery they will complete the usual catechesis. Persons who are not catechumens must give serious indication of their conversion to Christ and renunciation of pagan worship and must not be seen to be attached to anything that conflicts with the moral life (for example, “simultaneous polygamy”). They must also promise that upon recovery they will go through the complete program of initiation as it applies to them.
- This shorter rite is designed particularly for use by catechists and laypersons …
- In the case of a person who is at the point of death, that is, whose death is imminent, and time is short, the minister, omitting everything else, pours natural water (even if not blessed) on the head of the sick person, while saying the usual sacramental form …".
The ceremony is described in 375-384 with introductory rites, affirmation by the godparent and witnesses, liturgy of the word, intercessions for the candidate, prayer over the candidate, renunciation of sin, profession of faith and baptism. In the book used in Australia it is described in 351-360.
From the book “Pastoral Care of the Sick”:
“16. The priest is the only proper minister of the anointing of the sick.”
“46. Those who visit the sick should help them to pray, sharing with them the word of God proclaimed in the assembly from which their sickness has separated them. As the occasion permits, prayer drawn from the psalms or from other prayers or litanies may be added to the word of God.”
Chapter One has the heading “Visits to the Sick”. It begins: “54. The prayers contained in this chapter follow the common pattern of reading, response, prayer, and blessing. This pattern is provided as an example of what can be done and may be adapted as necessary”. The headings for the sections are: reading, the Lord’s Prayer, blessing. The end has:
“A minister who is not a priest or deacon invokes God’s blessing and makes the sign of the cross on himself or herself while saying:
May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil,
and bring us to everlasting life.”
R.
Amen.
The minister may then trace the sign of the cross on the sick person’s forehead."
Chapter Six has the title “Commendation of the Dying”. It includes:
"213. Christians have the responsibility of expressing their union in Christ by joining the dying person in prayer for God’s mercy and for confidence in Christ. … If the priest or deacon is unable to be present because of other serious pastoral obligations, other members of the community should be prepared to assist with these prayers and should have the texts readily available to them.
214. The minister may choose texts from among the prayers, litanies, aspirations, psalms, and readings provided in this chapter, or others may be added. … The prayers are best said in a slow, quiet voice, alternating with periods of silence. …
215. The texts are intended to help the dying person, if still conscious … Even if the dying person is not conscious, those who are present will draw consolation from these prayers …
216. Immediately after death has occurred, all may kneel while one of those present leads the prayers given in nos. 221-222.
Here are a few of the texts.
Short texts: Romans 14:8, 1 John 3:2.
Reading: Luke 22:39-46, Psalm 23.
Litany of the Saints.
Prayer of Commendation. Five are given, the fifth is the “Hail, holy Queen”.
Prayer After Death. Six are given, one or more may be said.
References:
The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0.
