Last Rights

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Of course, ultimately, only God knows, however, from what I understand, if a person is near death, the priest confers all the Last Rites on the person(Sacraments of Penance, the Holy Eucharist as viaticum (food for the journey), final Anointing, and the Papal Plenary Indulgence which are special prayers for the dying). Salvation is at stake and every measure is taken to prepare the soul for eternity.
A soul is better prepared to meet the Lord when it has been cleansed and invigorated with all these graces provided by the Church.
From everything I’ve read and know about this, a person can be anointed and can have a funeral Mass and Catholic burial even under the circumstances you mentioned.
I’d always heard that we entrust such persons to the Lord’s infinite mercy. I once called a Priest for someone who was in the same situation, they were unconscious also, their family wasn’t sure and had deceided that it was an impossible situation. I called my Parish Priest and he came, the family and even the Priest thanked me afterwards, it was an honor to be able to make that phone call, I really believed that it was possible, and it was.
I thank God that I acted and that I didn’t leave them alone, since under the circumstances, they really didn’t think it was possible and told me that they never would have made that call.
I figure it never hurts to ask.

However a priest cannot possibly confer all Last Rites on an unconscious person.

 

[FrDavid96]

If a person has not been to Mass and the Sacraments for a while and dies, but receives the last rights before dieing,even though unconscious at the time are their sins forgiven?

First, an unconscious person is not able to receive Communion, and Viaticum is a part of the Last Rites; that said though, an unconscious person could still receive Absolution, Anointing and the Apostolic Blessing.

Such a person would be sacramentally absolved (which is a juridic act of the Church), but as with any person (conscious, healthy, or not) forgiveness always comes from God Himself and depends upon the person’s desire to be forgiven.

 

[Through_Him]

Bless you and your Mother.

I think the new term for “Last Rights” is “Extreme Unction” and it is no longer a “final” or “last” rite–I had this rite admistered before a very serious surgery in the 1990s and after I was “hurt” – read “blown up”–in Afgahistan in 2004. Either time, they thought I was a goner, but Jesus pulled me through.

The “newadvent.org” website states that extreme unction is "a sacrament of the New Law instituted by Christ to give spiritual aid and comfort and perfect spiritual health, including, if need be, the remission of sins, and also, conditionally, to restore bodily health, to Christians who are seriously ill; it consists essentially in the unction by a priest of the body of the sick person, accompanied by a suitable form of words.

Where can I read “blown up”?
I’m so glad it is practiced more as it gives such comfort.

 

[CromartyLadd]

Barbara,
Thank you for your response and concern. The phrase “blown up” was intended to be a clarification for the more kind and gentle term “hurt” rather than a reference to a book.

 

[FrDavid96]

There’s a common misconception that the word “unction” is no longer used, but has been replaced by “anointing.” In reality, unction is simply the Latin word (which is indeed still used) which is translated into English as “anointing.” They mean the same thing. Read Canon 999 in Latin, and note that the word used is “unctione.”

If the anointing is done in an extreme circumstance (like danger of death) then it may indeed be called “extreme unction.” What realy happened is that the Chuch dropped the constant use of the word “extreme” because the Sacrament may (and should) be administered to those who are seriously ill but not necessarily in imminent danger of death.

The term “last rites” is likewise still a legitimate term, but only if it’s used in the proper context. Not every “Anointing of the Sick” is “Last Rites,” but it may be so.

The Last Rites are Confession, Apostolic Blessing, Unction/Anointing and Viaticum (Communion given to the dying). In an extreme emergency, Viaticum would come before Unction.

 

[Through_Him]

Barbara,
Thank you for your response and concern. The phrase “blown up” was intended to be a clarification for the more kind and gentle term “hurt” rather than a reference to a book.

No I’m sorry I thought maybe there had been an article on the bombing that happened to you.
My husband was in the war and has PTSD from it so he needs a lot of healing and may not get over it.

 

[Through_Him]

There’s a common misconception that the word “unction” is no longer used, but has been replaced by “anointing.” In reality, unction is simply the Latin word (which is indeed still used) which is translated into English as “anointing.” They mean the same thing. Read Canon 999 in Latin, and note that the word used is “unctione.”

If the anointing is done in an extreme circumstance (like danger of death) then it may indeed be called “extreme unction.” What realy happened is that the Chuch dropped the constant use of the word “extreme” because the Sacrament may (and should) be administered to those who are seriously ill but not necessarily in imminent danger of death.

The term “last rites” is likewise still a legitimate term, but only if it’s used in the proper context. Not every “Anointing of the Sick” is “Last Rites,” but it may be so.

The Last Rites are Confession, Apostolic Blessing, Unction/Anointing and Viaticum (Communion given to the dying). In an extreme emergency, Viaticum would come before Unction.

Thank you for your answer I do hope I may get her communion before she passes on. Could she have a host communion kept in her home to be given later in the event of dying stage?

 

[CromartyLadd]

No I’m sorry I thought maybe there had been an article on the bombing that happened to you.
My husband was in the war and has PTSD from it so he needs a lot of healing and may not get over it.

Barbara,
May God bless you and your husband. After my three decades of military experience, I’ve found comfort, healing, and strength through involvement with my local veteran organizations (VFW/American Legion/DAV), my home parish, the Knights of Columbus, and adult RCIA. This may not be a useful path for your husband, but I think it has worked for me. Of course, my wife is the official judge of the success of this path!

 

[passus]

Could she have a host communion kept in her home to be given later in the event of dying stage?

No one is permitted to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in his or her private home.

According to Redemptionis Sacramentum on dealing with the Holy Eucharist:
No one may carry the Most Holy Eucharist to his or her home, or to any other place contrary to the norm of law (132).
As others here have said, she should be receiving Holy Communion regularly. Keep the phone number of a priest handy so that he can come in the case of an emergency to administer Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum.

God bless you.

 

[rudy2295]

you need to make sure she is dying or just sick.

 

[Feanor]

You don’t need to be near death to receive the anointing or the apostolic blessing, or even the eucharist (though it would not be called Viaticum.)

I received these Sacraments when I was in the hospital for depression.

 

[Through_Him]

Barbara,
May God bless you and your husband. After my three decades of military experience, I’ve found comfort, healing, and strength through involvement with my local veteran organizations (VFW/American Legion/DAV), my home parish, the Knights of Columbus, and adult RCIA. This may not be a useful path for your husband, but I think it has worked for me. Of course, my wife is the official judge of the success of this path!

He has just started going to the VA and is in counseling and yes it is answer to prayer. We take it one step at a time. Funny things started working out when I started back to the Church and he is not coming but praying for a time he will. It is a healing process. I did not think of it before as spiritual healing but God did make us mind, body and soul as connected so thank you for your kind words.

 

[Through_Him]

No one is permitted to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in his or her private home.

According to Redemptionis Sacramentum on dealing with the Holy Eucharist:
No one may carry the Most Holy Eucharist to his or her home, or to any other place contrary to the norm of law (132).
As others here have said, she should be receiving Holy Communion regularly. Keep the phone number of a priest handy so that he can come in the case of an emergency to administer Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum.

God bless you.

Her priest called me back just today as he had been gone, for a week, and that is what he said too, no way can the host be kept at our house. We had a nice chat and he said to come to him no matter what for anything. Well I’m feeling much more confident in the Lord about it all and I think my mom will feel she can have control also of what she wants and knows it can be done for her even at home. This is a learning experience. They have an active nun at her Church but not ours, long story, I have met her and introduced myself to many at the parish. We don’t receive if we don’t ask! I’m learning still. Thanks everybody. I have seen people carry the Eucharist to the assisted living centers so wasn’t sure what the home is different but that is usually on Sunday right after Mass. I went once or twice with a lady that took the host to a friend. I suppose Sunday is the main day that this can be done.