Communion in the body and blood of Christ, recieved at this moment of 'passing over' to the Father, has a particular significans and importance. It is the seed of eternal life and the power of resurrection, according to the words of the LORD: "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and will raise him up at the last day Jn The sacrament of Christ once dead and now risen, the Eucharist is here the sacrament of passing over from death to life, from this world to the Father Cf.
Jn Thus, just as the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist form a unity called 'the sacraments of Chrisitan initiation,' so too it can be said that Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, and the Eucharist as viaticum constitute at the end of Christian life 'the sacraments that prepare for our heavenly homeland' or the sacraments that complete the earthly pilgrimage. Last Rites may also be accompanied by an apostolic blessing that gives a plenary indulgence to the dying person.
Mark J. Gantley explains the Apostolic Blessing:. The Apostolic Pardon or blessing is an indulgence given in situations of danger of death, usually after the absolution of the sacrament of penance. The focus is on the remission of temporal punishment due to sin. The words of the prayer explain the meaning of the act: "Through the holy mysteries of our redemption may almighty God release you from all punishments in this life and in the life to come.
May he open to you the gates of paradise and welcome you to everlasting joy. But if a priest cannot be present, holy mother Church lovingly grants such persons who are rightly disposed a plenary indulgence to be obtained in articulo mortis, at the approach of death, provided they regularly prayed in some way during their lifetime.
The use of a crucifix or a cross is recommended in obtaining this plenary indulgence. In such a situation the three usual conditions required in order to gain a plenary indulgence are substituted for by the condition 'provided they regularly prayed in some way. Blaise Saint Blaise St. Blaise St. Many Priest actually find it to be quite troublesome when families often wait till the last minute before calling upon them.
Sometimes it may be too late, and the Priest might not arrive in time to perform the rites before the family member dies. If a practicing Catholic is in danger of death from sickness, illness, old age, or about to undergo a high-risk operation; they may request to have their Last Rites performed to help with their recovery, or to ask God to help ease their suffering during their final journey.
Essentially speaking, only the living can be anointed, and as such, the Last Rites are reserved for the dying, and not the deceased. If a Catholic was to have passed away before a Priest could administer the Last Rites, the Priest could instead choose to recite a prayer for their Pastoral Care of the Sick ritual book.
For the living, a practicing and faithful Catholic who is in good standing with the Church can be granted a full Last Rites service. Depending on who is receiving the Last Rites, and what their current state of mind and body is at, will determine how the Last Rites may be performed. Non-Catholics and absent Catholics can be granted the Last Rites as well, the process will not involve the Holy Communion, however. As long as they are able to consent to it, soldiers of war, death row inmates, the young, and the old, of all walks of life, are able to request that the Last Rites be performed for them.
Last Rites is primarily a Catholic tradition that is administered to the dying. The other Christian denominations may pray for the dying person, or wait until they have been called to heaven by God before praying for them.
Family members of the dying person can request that the Last Rites be performed for them on their behalf. Before they will begin, the Preist will speak with the dying person to not only comfort them but to also see to their individual spiritual needs. In doing so, the Priest will be able to determine if the person will be capable of participating in the Last Rites ceremony on their own, or if the Priest will need to lead them.
This is where the Priest will also determine which rites this individual may be entitled to receive. If they were an active member of the community, faithful to the Lord, and within good standing with the Church, the Priest would be willing to provide them with all the sacramental rites.
If the person is a non-Catholic, someone who has been excommunicated, or is no longer a practicing Catholic, the Preist may adjust the rites accordingly. The proper celebration for those about to die is Viaticum, the last time that person receives the Body and Blood of Christ. This is a special Eucharistic service celebrated near the time of death. Viaticum may be administered by a priest, deacon or a trained layperson.
If administered by a priest, an opportunity for Reconciliation or confession may be provided as part of the rite if the patient desires. There is a provision for Viaticum to be administered together with Anointing of the Sick if the patient has not recently been anointed. When calling for ministry to someone gravely ill, please explain the situation.
This will help us to determine whether your loved one requires Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation, Viaticum or a combination thereof.
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