What is Viaticum?

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awalt

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More specifically, how is it different from the Eucharist? I have read about it but I am somewhat confused.

Thanks!
 
Viaticum literally means “food for the journey” and is communion given to a person who is gravely ill or in danger of death, usually along with the sacrament of anointing of the sick, which of course forgives all sins. The original purpose of consecrating extra hosts during the Eucharist and reserving them in a tabernacle or other sacred place was to share communion with the sick and dying.
 
I diden’t know that Annointing of the sick also gave absolution. Is that noted in the CCC?
 
I am sure it does - I couldn’t find the perfect paragraph but I saw this one:
1523 A *preparation for the final journey.* If the sacrament of anointing of the sick is given to all who suffer from serious illness and infirmity, even more rightly is it given to those at the point of departing this life; so it is also called *sacramentum exeuntium* (the sacrament of those departing).[ 139](http://www.kofc.org/publications/cis/catechism/getnote.cfm?ParNum=1523&FNoteNum=139) The Anointing of the Sick completes our conformity to the death and Resurrection of Christ, just as Baptism began it. It completes the holy anointings that mark the whole Christian life: that of Baptism which sealed the new life in us, and that of Confirmation which strengthened us for the combat of this life. This last anointing fortifies the end of our earthly life like a solid rampart for the final struggles before entering the Father's house.[ 140](http://www.kofc.org/publications/cis/catechism/getnote.cfm?ParNum=1523&FNoteNum=140)
 
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