Give Viaticum to unconsious person?

[Lee_M]

Can a person receive viaticum under the Precious Blood Species if they are unconsious? If it is possible, can a Minister to the Homebound do this or does it have to be by a priest? I believe my grandmother will not make it much longer and the priest annointed her but he did not give her Viaticum.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Can a person receive viaticum under the Precious Blood Species if they are unconsious? If it is possible, can a Minister to the Homebound do this or does it have to be by a priest? I believe my grandmother will not make it much longer and the priest annointed her but he did not give her Viaticum.

Viaticum is simply “the Last Holy Communion for the journey”. Any Minister Extraordinary Minister can administer it.

It is not wise to give an unconsious person anything by mouth.

 

[mystified]

Viaticum is simply “the Last Holy Communion for the journey”. Any Minister Extraordinary Minister can administer it.

It is not wise to give an unconsious person anything by mouth.

And medically, not wise to do it intraveniously, even if the Church were to approve of it.

 

[puzzleannie]

Can a person receive viaticum under the Precious Blood Species if they are unconsious? If it is possible, can a Minister to the Homebound do this or does it have to be by a priest? I believe my grandmother will not make it much longer and the priest annointed her but he did not give her Viaticum.

no, an unconscious person should never be given food or drink by mouth. this would be a question for the medical attendant involved.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

A woman I brought Communion to was clearly terminal and unconscious. I broke the smallest crumb I could and put it between her lip and gum. Probably not a good idea, but it worked that time. She died a couple of hours later [not from the communion.]

 

[Timothysis]

She died a couple of hours later [not from the communion.]

I know you didn’t mean it that way but it still made me smile! Luckily, my mom got a small piece of the Most Holy Eucharist the day before she died…I thank Jesus for that everyday.

 

[Lee_M]

I know it can be given under the precious blood species. I was thinking about giving her just a drop on her lip but didn’t know if she had to be conscious to actually accept the precious blood.

 

[FrDavid96]

I know it can be given under the precious blood species. I was thinking about giving her just a drop on her lip but didn’t know if she had to be conscious to actually accept the precious blood.

Lee,
I would strongly suggest that you go back to the priest and ask him to make another visit, specifically making the request that he administer Viaticum in some licit way which respects her medical condition.

 

[Lepanto]

I know of a priest who delivers precisely one drop of the Precious Blood (via an eyedropper) in these circumstances.

 

[canu]

Is there a currently valid authoritative Church document that states whether Viaticum may be given to an unconscious person?

 

[ConstantineTG]

Is there a currently valid authoritative Church document that states whether Viaticum may be given to an unconscious person?

Can. 922 Holy Viaticum for the sick is not to be delayed too long; those who have the care of souls are to be zealous and vigilant that the sick are nourished by Viaticum while fully conscious.

While this doesn’t conclusively end the argument, it does promote giving Viaticum to those who are conscious.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

Obviously, it is dangerous to give Viaticum to an unconscious person and seeking a medical opinion would be wise. It also means that it is not possible to discover whether the person wants to receive Viaticum. The will of some people may be known but that of others may be not be.

 

[foundmyfaith]

The eyedropper is a great idea. We use more water than that to clean out the mouth of an unconscious person in the hospital. A single drop of the Precious Blood will not cause someone to aspirate. You make more saliva than that.

I know that when my son was dying, I would have been grateful if someone had thought to do that.

I would not give more than a drop though, for safety.