“Last Rites – Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick”
Many people, especially older Catholics and even persons of other religions, are familiar with the term “last rites”. It has become such a widely used and commonly referred to phrase that even non-Catholic Christians use it, as well as people in the medical profession especially nurses whose work keeps them near to patients who may be extremely ill in hospitals and nursing homes and near death. But, what is “last rites” really? Is it a thing the Catholic Church has that must be obtained? Do we need to wait until the last possible moment before death to call a priest and get the “last rites” for a dying person?
What needs to be understood by everyone first of all is the false concept that “Last Rites” is a separate and individual kind of “sacrament” unto itself that is only imparted in some form by the priest at the moment before death. Who of us knows exactly when a person is going to die? How can we be so sure that a priest will be available and able to show up for this before the person actually dies? Is this really what the Church teaches us about the Sacraments and their proper function and use? The following reflection is what I prescribe for a deeper and more responsible understanding of the issue.

“Last rites” is not a “thing” that the Catholic Church has that a person must “get” the moment before death. The term “last rites” is used to describe an event that might happen before the death of a Catholic person (I use the term ‘Catholic’ purposefully because there are requests made by unknowing people for this to be imparted to persons of other religions. Since we are talking about Sacraments here, then only Catholic persons are eligible for this). For example: If a patient desires a priest to come and that patient receives one or all three of the Sacraments of Reconciliation (Confession), Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Communion (Eucharist) – and dies – that person has received their “last rites” of the Roman Catholic Church. So, “last rites” is a phrase, a description of an event that might happen after the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, and Eucharist (one or two or all three) have been celebrated with a Catholic person and the recipient dies. It is not a “thing” unto itself but a process. The Catholic Church believes and teaches that Catholic Christians should be living the Sacraments (all seven) throughout their lives as the best aid to their salvation in Christ because He Himself established the sacraments for precisely that purpose.

“Thus, just as the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist form a unity called ‘the sacraments of Christian 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.” Catechism of the Catholic Church; number 1525.

Last Rites and the Catholic Catechism. In all my reading of the Catechism of the Catholic Church I have not yet discovered the phrase “last rites” even used. It has become a popular phrase to conveniently use when someone feels the need for a priest especially if the person is dying or close to death. That is fine, providing there is a greater and more responsible understanding of the process and of the power and use of those three sacraments themselves.

Unfortunately, it seems to me that Catholics have developed a sort of tunnel vision and have lost the deeper meaning and purpose of the three sacraments of healing and grace. To call a priest for “last rites” presumes the person will die and not recover. Do we not reflect a doubt about the power of these sacraments to heal and save if there is a presumption of death? The Catechism states in number 1520 …”The first grace of this sacrament [Anointing of the Sick] is one of strengthening, peace and courage to overcome the difficulties that go with the condition of serious illness…” Therefore, our first and primary faith in the sacrament is about the power and possibility of recovery, not death. Unfortunately, I have witnessed people who are seriously ill, need the sacraments, and refuse even a priestly visit because of the fear that it will mean that they are going to die! How sad to be deprived of the very spiritual strength needed because of a shallow or faulty understanding of the true meaning and purpose of those sacraments! The Catechism in that same paragraph states “This assistance of the Lord by the power of his Spirit is meant to lead the sick person to healing of the soul, but also of the body if such is God’s will.” Our focus is not the fear of death and dying but of healing, recovery and life.

When should one receive the sacraments of healing and recovery? Number 1514 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “The Anointing of the Sick 'is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death’.” It is a sacrament for those who are ill – usually gravely so and/or ready for important and urgent surgery – and should be sought before any worse condition or deterioration of health sets in on a person’s life. These sacraments (Reconciliation, Anointing, Eucharist) should be in the heart and mind of every faithful person at a time in their lives when they are “tried by illness” (number 1511, CCC). They are not to be feared, shunned or put off by any means! God has provided for us a wonderful and powerful set of Sacraments that provide grace and strength when we most need it. At the Anointing of the Sick, the priest anoints with blessed oil and says: “Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.”

The proper time for receiving this holy anointing has certainly arrived when the believer begins to be in danger of death because of illness or old age (1528, CCC). Each time a Christian falls seriously ill, he may receive the Anointing of the Sick…(1529, CCC).

Conclusion. These grace filled and powerful sacraments (Reconciliation, Anointing, and Eucharist) should not be neglected throughout one’s illness but utilized to fulfill their purpose – the health, strength and life of the soul and body – and possible recovery to full health and return to one’s regular and daily life. As number 1523 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The Anointing of the Sick completes our conformity to the death and resurrection of Christ, just as Baptism began it. It completes the holy anointing that mark the whole Christian life: that of Baptism which sealed the new life in us, and that of Confirmation which strengthened us for combat in this life.” The sacraments received during illness can in fact help us return to our normal everyday life. Our focus needs to be primarily our recovery to health and return to service and life. If we die after receiving them, then they have served us in passing from this life to eternal life in the Mansions of our Heavenly Father.

“The special grace of the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick has its effects: -the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church; -the strengthening, peace and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age; -the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance; -the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul; -the preparation for passing over to eternal life.” (CCC #1532)

The Catholic Church has never claimed or taught that “Last Rites” must be given to save someone’s soul. The Catholic Church believes and teaches that Christians should be living the sacraments throughout their lives as the best aid to their salvation in Christ. “Last Rites”, sacraments, or any other rite or ritual of the Church is not magic. God is not bound by the sacraments.