Sacrament of Last Rites?

[Texan77]

I would like to start a discussion in regards to the Sacrament of Last Rites…

If one is on their death bed and has unconfessed mortal sin yet receives this sacrament - what is the outcome and or the teaching of the Church?

 

[LilyM]

Since a priest has to be there to administer the sacrament, then it’s part and parcel of the procedure to make your confession to him (and receive Communion from him) beforehand if you’re able.

If you’re unable, for whatever reason, then it’s the same situation as any other person who dies whilst unable to make a confession - if they have perfect contrition they obtain absolution for their sins without confession, although if they end up recovering from their illness or health problem rather than dying, they are obliged to confess as soon as possible.

It’s difficult to imagine anyone deliberately choosing not to confess their mortal sins and yet choosing to receive last rites - if they care so little about the one sacrament then it stands to reason they’re not going to care to receive the other either.

To be sure, some people may do so, and we can only hope and pray that God will take into account the reasons why - whether it be ignorance about the sacrament or lack of understanding of their own sins, or some issue with it, perhaps a bad past experience - and in His mercy not hold it against them.

 

[Joe_5859]

I would like to start a discussion in regards to the Sacrament of Last Rites…

If one is on their death bed and has unconfessed mortal sin yet receives this sacrament - what is the outcome and or the teaching of the Church?

First, it’s “Anointing of the Sick”, not “Last Rites.”

Last Rites is a popular term for the sacrament, but not the most theologically correct one. It leads people to the (false) conclusion that this sacrament is only for those on their death bed.

In any case, the clear preference of the Church is that someone who is dying receive Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, and the Eucharist (Viaticum), in that order. As Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are the three sacraments that welcome us into the life of the Church, these three sacraments prepare us to be welcomed into our heavenly home.

Of course, this is not always possible. Sometimes, a person’s health does not afford them the ability to make a verbal confession and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In these cases, it’s about what the person would do if they were conscious. Forgiveness of sins is one of the effects of Anointing of the Sick, but we cannot be forgiven if we are not repentant (just as a verbal Confession also would not be efficacious if we were unrepentant).

However, we need to be careful about using this to make judgment calls in particular cases. Even someone that appears to us to be unrepentant may be repentant if they really understood the sin they have committed. So we can’t assume that a sacrament has not been efficacious.

For more information, look at what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says about Anointing of the Sick: CCC 1499-1532

 

[Texan77]

As Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist are the three sacraments that welcome us into the life of the Church, these three sacraments prepare us to be welcomed into our heavenly home.

I love the explanation above…

If one receives the three sacraments that prepare us for heaven - does this help eliminate time in purgatory? Like an indulgence would?

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I love the explanation above…

If one receives the three sacraments that prepare us for heaven - does this help eliminate time in purgatory? Like an indulgence would?

The Apostolic Pardon, which is like, or maybe is, a plenary indulgence should be a part of the Rite. **

 

[diggerdomer]

I would like to start a discussion in regards to the Sacrament of Last Rites…

If one is on their death bed and has unconfessed mortal sin yet receives this sacrament - what is the outcome and or the teaching of the Church?

As has been noted, there is no Catholic sacrament of “Last Rites.”

If the person I think you’re suggesting celebrates the sacrament of reconciliation and confesses and is absolved, then their outcome is the same as everyone who confesses and is absolved via the sacrament of Reconciliation.