What are the last rites?

“Last rites” is a common name for the sacraments and prayers the Church offers to a Catholic approaching death. They ordinarily include Confession, the Anointing of the Sick, and Viaticum, which is Holy Communion received as food for the final passage to eternal life.

What may be included. When circumstances permit, a priest helps the dying person make a good confession and gives sacramental absolution (Jn 20:22-23). He then administers the Anointing of the Sick, praying for strength, forgiveness, and union with Christ’s Passion (Jas 5:14-15; CCC 1520-1523). The person may also receive the apostolic pardon, an indulgence granted for the remission of temporal punishment due to forgiven sins. Prayers of commendation entrust the dying Christian to God’s mercy.

What Viaticum means. Viaticum is the final reception of the Eucharist. The word refers to provision for a journey. Christ’s Body and Blood strengthen the Christian for the passage through death to the Father. The Catechism calls Viaticum the “seed of eternal life and the power of resurrection,” recalling Jesus’ promise that whoever eats His flesh and drinks His blood has eternal life (Jn 6:54; CCC 1524). Catholics in danger of death should receive Communion as Viaticum if they are able (Canon 921).

Why the timing matters. Families sometimes wait until a person is unconscious or only moments from death. A priest can still anoint an unconscious person when there is reason to believe the person would have requested the sacrament (Canon 1006). Earlier contact is better. While conscious, the person may confess, receive Communion, participate in the prayers, forgive others, and express trust in Christ. Anointing itself should also be requested whenever serious illness or the frailty of old age creates danger, rather than being reserved only for the final hours (CCC 1514-1515).

What if the person cannot confess. A dying person who can speak should tell the priest that he wishes to confess. If speech is difficult, the priest will adapt the celebration and ask simple questions. When confession is impossible, Anointing can forgive sins if the person is properly disposed, meaning that he has at least an implicit sorrow for sin and turns toward God’s mercy (CCC 1532). God sees the heart, and the Church supplies every sacramental help she can.

What the family should do. Call the parish or hospital chaplain promptly and ask for a Catholic priest. Say clearly that the person is in danger of death and needs the last rites. Family members can remain nearby, pray the responses, hold the person’s hand, and join in prayers such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Litany of the Saints. These rites surround death with Christ’s forgiveness, His Eucharistic presence, and the hope of resurrection.