Information about Last Rites

[Qyöt27]

My grandfather passed away Sunday night, and because he was Catholic we were trying on Saturday to contact a priest to come. We asked again on Sunday morning when we went to visit, and at that point the priest still hadn't gotten there - but he did shortly after we'd left.

Since we weren't there to actually see, I'm not sure of how it went. I could - and did - look on Wikipedia for a summary, but that's still rather impersonal. He'd been unconscious for a week or more, so I can't see how anything other than Anointing of the Sick could be performed (and he'd been dealing with dementia/Alzheimer's for a couple of years, so I don't know how that circumstance is treated in regard to the other relevant sacraments).

I'd really appreciate it if someone could explain the process, especially in light of the circumstances.

 

[Colin]

May your grandfather rest in peace , and may God bless you and your loved ones at this sad time .

When our priest visited my mother the day before she died she was lapsing in and out of consciousness so was unable to receive Holy Communion . The priest ministered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick , and blessed her with the Blessed Sacrament ( the consecrated Communion Host ) .

Don't worry , because I am sure that the priest who visited your grandfather ministered to him in an appropriate way , and placed him in the loving hands of the Father .

 

[FullyMT]

My grandfather passed away Sunday night, and because he was Catholic we were trying on Saturday to contact a priest to come. We asked again on Sunday morning when we went to visit, and at that point the priest still hadn't gotten there - but he did shortly after we'd left.

Since we weren't there to actually see, I'm not sure of how it went. I could - and did - look on Wikipedia for a summary, but that's still rather impersonal. He'd been unconscious for a week or more, so I can't see how anything other than Anointing of the Sick could be performed (and he'd been dealing with dementia/Alzheimer's for a couple of years, so I don't know how that circumstance is treated in regard to the other relevant sacraments).

I'd really appreciate it if someone could explain the process, especially in light of the circumstances.

Most priests are trained very well in how to give Last Rites, aka Viaticum (Anointing of the Sick, Reconcilation, Eucharist; Viaticum loosely means "for the journey)
I'm not sure the order of Anointing/Reconciliation, but generally the family is invited to pray with the priest during parts of the Anointing Rite. Eucharist would be the last sacrament received.

The mental state does not usually matter so long as the person can at least consume a drop of the Precious Blood or a crumb from the Host orally. Anointing requires the person to be alive, but not necessarily conscious. Reconciliation does require consciousness, although I'm not sure what one does for an Alzheimer's patient. At the very least, Anointing also acts as a form of forgiveness of sin.

Many prayers for your grandfather's soul and for you and your family.

 

[benedictaoo]

If he was conscious and able to make a confession then I assume he made one. If not, then the sacrament, for lack of a much better way of putting it, covered that. He was good as confessed, assuming what ever unrepentant sins he may have committed during his life, he was sorry for.

If he was conscious and able to receive communion, then he was given it.

What is important is he was given the last rites sacrament and the sacrament is the grace to put you at peace when you are dying, to give you the strength and the will to go to God and chase off any evil that may be harassing you at this difficult time.

 

[epiclesis]

I'm sorry for you loss - my prayers will be with you and your family.

May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

 

[Qyöt27]

Thank you all for support and prayers. I wasn't aware that Anointing of the Sick could work as a form of forgiveness, and that puts me more at ease. I already trusted that the priest would do what he could given the circumstances, I just didn't know all of the specifics.

 

[G-Com]

Sorry for your loss.

for all of you.

 

[Virgil the Roman]

Requiescat in Pace. ---- May He rest in Peace.

 

[AMDG]

So sorry for your loss.

In my mother's last days, the priest came to hospice. We didn't know if my mother was even concious by then (she under heavy doses of morphine by the hospice), but the priest still insisted on leading us all in prayers. He said that "the hearing is the last to go" so maybe she could at least hear.

 

[Azureknight 773]

May the Eternal Light shine upon him as I condole you my brother in Christ.