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Extreme Unction
 

"Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man. And the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him."  - James 5:14-15: 

The Sacrament of Extreme Unction is also called "Last Rites" or "Annointing of the Sick," is the anointing given to those who are gravely bodily ill, especially those in danger of death from bodily illness or from violence already done to the body.

The conditions for receiving Extreme Unction are:
  • have reached the Age of Reason (around 7)
     
  • be in a State of Grace (Penance is part of the Rite)
     
  • be sorrowful for past sins, trust in God and resign himself to His will, whether His positive will is to heal the sick person or His passive will is the person's death

The effects of the Sacrament are the strengthening and comfort of the soul of the annointed one, the remission of sins and some of their temporal punishments, and the possible restoration of bodily health.

The matter of the Sacrament is the Oil of the Sick "Oleum Infirmorum", which is olive oil blessed by the Bishop on Maundy Thursday (the Thursday of Holy Week - the week before Easter).

The form of the Sacrament are the words:

"Through this Holy Unction or oil, and through the great goodness of His mercy, may God pardon thee whatever sins thou hast committed by evil use of sight (sight, hearing, smell, taste and speech, touch, ability to walk)."

Latin: Per istam sanctan unctionem et suam piissimam misericordiam, indulgeat tibi Dominus quidquid per (visum, audtiotum, odorátum, gustum et locutiónem, tactum, gressum deliquisti}.
The preparations for Extreme Unction are almost precisely like those for receiving a sick call from a priest, but a few extra items are needed: bread, cotton, and lemon or salt.

 
First, prepare the house:
Set up a table near the bed in a place where the sick person can see it. Cover it with a white cloth, and on it place the crucifix with a lit blessed candle on each side, a dish of holy water, a piece of palm the priest can use to spinkle the holy water, a dish of regular water, cotton, slices of bread, and some lemon. Lay a linen cloth across the breast of the sick person.

 
Greet the priest at the door:
Women should cover their heads; men should uncover theirs. Meet the priest in silence at the door, bearing a lighted blessed candle (preferably the Baptismal candle of the sick one), and genuflect. Lead him to the sick person's room and remain there with him until Confession is heard. When you leave the room while Confession is being heard, close the door; you may re-enter when the priest opens it again. At all times, the priest will be quiet and somber; don't expect him to socialize before or afterward, as he carries with him the Body of Christ.

I'm Catholic. In the event of an emergency, call a Priest

Catholics often carry cards in their wallets, or wear medals around their necks, that contain the above words (or simply, "I'm Catholic; call a priest"), sometimes with the priest's phone number/pager number. These cards are meant to help ensure that in an emergency, a doctor, nurse, EMT, policeman, etc., will call a priest to adminster Unction to the Catholic in need. Make sure that family members, even non-Catholic ones, are aware of your desire for Unction if you are facing death, and have your priest's phone number/pager number someplace where they'll be able to locate it easily.

St. Isidore Church Contact Information:
St. Isidore Church
attn: Fr. Dennis T. McDonald
32100 E. Colfax Svc Rd
Watkins , CO 80137
303.344.9300 - phone
303.568.0193 - fax
dionysiusmcd@yahoo.com
St. Isidore Priory Contact Information:
 St. Isidore Priory
 Fr. Dennis T. McDonald, Prior
 277 S. Watkins Rd.
 Watkins, CO 80137
 303-325-7558 phone
 303-317-2032 fax
dionysiusmcd@yahoo.com