Last week I wrote about the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, and mentioned that a lot of people still call that sacrament “Last Rites” because of a poor translation of the Latin title of the sacrament. Unfortunately this has resulted in many people thinking that they should only call for a priest to Anoint them when they are dying. The Church teaches that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is for anyone who has a serious illness or injury. The word is gradually getting around, and just in the past few weeks I have had a couple parishioners call me to anoint them before they had surgery. Having said all that there are two rites, which are associated with the Anointing of the Sick, which are “last rites,” for they are given only when death is imminent.

The first of these is Viaticum, which is the Last Sacrament of the Christian. Viaticum is the Eucharist, that is received at the moment of “passing over” to the Father. Receiving Holy Communion in this manner has a particular significance and importance. “It is the seed of eternal life and the power of the 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’ (John 6:54). 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” (CCC #1524).

Viaticum does not have a particular ritual in and of itself. It is typically done during the celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick; after the person is anointed the Lord’s Prayer is said, then the priest gives the person the Eucharist, and after some silent prayer, prays the final prayer and blessing over the dying person.

The final “last rite” is what is known as the Apostolic Pardon. Technically this is more associated with the Sacrament of Penance rather than the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. The Apostolic Pardon is an indulgence given for the remission of temporal punishment due to sin. The Apostolic Pardon is given by a priest, usually along with Viaticum. Recall what I said about the Temporal punishment due to sin; that if not completed in this life, the person completes it in Purgatory before going to Heaven. It is the “fixing the broken window” that you were forgiven for breaking. It is the final releasing from attachment in this world so that one can cling to God alone in Heaven. The Apostolic Pardon takes all temporal punishment away, so the person who is properly disposed when receiving it, goes right to Heaven. The Apostolic Pardon can only be given to the person once, so it is done when death is extremely imminent. Currently there are two forms of the Apostolic Pardon: “By the authority which the Apostolic See has given me, I grant you a full pardon and the remission of all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit” or “Through the holy mysteries of our redemption, may almighty God release you from all punishments in this life and in the life to come. May He open to you the gates of paradise and welcome you to everlasting joy.”