Last rights

[jonfan]

Are we as Catholics able to perform the sacrament of last rights if a priest is not around? If so are there any websites that have the actual words of this sacrament? Also do Protestants have anything similar?
God bless,
Jon

 

[LilyM]

No, only a priest can administer Last Rites.

 

[Mommyof02green]

The same question was on the AAA forum recently.
This was the answer:

Hi D,

What the Church means by ‘last rites’ is the sacrament of anointing. Only a priest or bishop can administer this sacrament. When you bring the Eucharist to the sick, you assist the priest in administering that sacrament, but it is only the priest or bishop who can consecrate the bread and the wine in the first place.

So yes, you may pray for the person, but no—you cannot administer the last rites.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.

Click here to go to post.

 

[Evan]

I believe that last rites (plural) involve

1. Confession (optional)
   …If the person is awake and alert
2. Reception of the Eucharist in the form of bread (optional)
   …If the person is awake
   …If a consecrated host is available
3. Anointing of the Sick
   …If the priest has the oil set aside for the sacrament from the Maundy Thurday mass.

Of the last rites, the only one that can be administered by a laymen would be 2) if the layman were EMHC.