There is a true beauty in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. As a priest, I never get tired of making pastoral visits to those who crave the graces that come from this Sacrament. What many people don’t realize is that the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is NOT Last Rites. After the Second Vatican Council, the Church formally proclaimed that the Sacrament of Anointing should be administered to those seeking healing for physical, mental, and spiritual sicknesses. Thus, the Sacrament of Anointing is not reserved for the deathbed only, but should be given to those who are in need of healing at all stages in life beyond the age of reason.
Last Rites, or Extreme Unction, are administered during the ritual for the Anointing of the Sick when combined with auricular confession and reception of the Holy Eucharist. While this can be done anytime someone is anointed, the proper terminology wouldn’t be “Last Rites” if the individual wasn’t near death. In fact, even at the point of death, the term ”Last Rites” are misleading because the Church doesn’t refer to the Sacrament of Anointing in this fashion anymore.
So, if you or a loved one is sick – physically, mentally, or spiritually, then ask the priest for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. If you or a loved one is at the point of death, then ask the priest for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. At this time, the priest will (most likely) ask if you would like to make a confession and receive Holy Communion.
