A prayer that a priest gives to a dying Catholic

[ilovejcsog]

I have seen this in movies but never knew what it is and why it is given. If a Catholic is not given this prayer when dying do they believe it is a detriment. Is it a necessary prayer for them?

 

[Monk Brendan]

I have seen this in movies but never knew what it is and why it is given. If a Catholic is not given this prayer when dying do they believe it is a detriment. Is it a necessary prayer for them?

What prayer are you talking about?

(Of course, movies give a correct depiction of anyone's religion, right?)

 

[ilovejcsog]

Google:
This is known as the Last Rites, but the true name for this final blessing is the sacraments of Penance, Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum. The purpose of a dying Catholic's Last Rites is to offer a final purification of the dying person's soul and to prepare them to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.


The Significance of a Dying Catholic's Last Rites
The sacraments of Penance, Anointing the Sick, and Viaticum
The Significance of a Dying Catholic's Last Rites
A Catholic person's Last Rites is one last prayer for their soul before they leave their bodies. (Shutterstock)

Every religion has different customs and traditions when it comes to death and dying. For Catholics, there are specific ways the final moments of life are handled. This is known as the Last Rites, but the true name for this final blessing is the sacraments of Penance, Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum.

The purpose of a dying Catholic's Last Rites is to offer a final purification of the dying person's soul and to prepare them to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. If you are unfamiliar with the concept of Last Rites, this article will answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the practice.

What are Last Rites?

In the Catholic Church, there are seven sacraments:

Sacraments of initiation

Baptism
The Eucharist
Confirmation


Sacraments of healing

Reconciliation
Anointing the Sick


Sacraments of service

Holy Orders
Matrimony


When people discuss the Last Rites, they are mainly referring to three of these sacraments: the Eucharist (communion, or "Viaticum"), Anointing the Sick and Reconciliation (penance). These Last Rites are administered to a Catholic before they pass away.

How are Last Rites administered?

The way in which Last Rites are administered varies greatly depending on the specific circumstances. The ritual will differ depending on whether or not the dying person is able to speak and in good standing with the Church.

 

[Bob Crowley]

I have seen this in movies but never knew what it is and why it is given. If a Catholic is not given this prayer when dying do they believe it is a detriment. Is it a necessary prayer for them?

There's a link here to the part of the Catholic Catechism in regards to "anointing the sick" and "Viaticum, the last sacrament of the Christian".

Catechism of the Catholic Church - The anointing of the sick

Er, ilivejscog ... please note ... it's a whole page!

But dealing with the specific bit about a "dying catholic", the relevant paragraph is as follows -

V. VIATICUM, THE LAST SACRAMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN

1524 In addition to the Anointing of the Sick, the Church offers those who are about to leave this life the Eucharist as viaticum. Communion in the body and blood of Christ, received at this moment of "passing over" to the Father, has a particular significance 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 I will raise him up at the last day."141 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.142

1525 Thus, just as the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the 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.