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What is viaticum in the Catholic Church?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Viaticum is a term used – especially in the Catholic Church – for the Eucharist (also called Holy Communion), administered, with or without Anointing of the Sick (also called Extreme Unction), to a person who is dying; viaticum is thus a part of the Last Rites.
What does viaticum mean?
1 : the Christian Eucharist given to a person in danger of death. 2a : an allowance (as of transportation or supplies and money) for traveling expenses. b : provisions for a journey.
Why is viaticum important?
A Latin word meaning provision for the journey, viaticum is the sacrament proper to the dying Christian, wherein the Eucharist is given to one in danger of death as the food for the passage through death to eternal life.
Is viaticum and Anointing of the Sick the same?
When a person is in danger of death a priest may be called in order that dying persons might receive the last rites, which include Confession, Anointing of the Sick (formerly extreme unction) and final reception of holy Communion (Viaticum).
What happens if a Catholic does not receive last rites?
Nothing physically happens to a person who dies without having the last rites administered to them. These are the final prayers and blessings a person receives that give spiritual comfort and a renewed faith that they will walk with Christ to meet their maker.
Is anointing of the sick only for the dying?
Like any sacrament, anointing of the sick can be given only to someone who is alive; however, as the precise moment of death is not known or defined with precision, someone may be anointed conditionally (“if you are alive” prefixed to the sacramental formula) during a brief period after being declared clinically dead.
What three sacraments are part of Viaticum?
The Last Rights, or Viaticum, specifically refers to 3 sacraments. These are confession, the anointing of the sick, and final Holy Communion. Each of these is a way to cleanse a person’s soul of sins in preparation for the afterlife. In the past, Last Rites were only given to those who were on their deathbed.
Who can receive the Anointing of the Sick?
Catholic canon law indicates who may receive the sacrament: “The anointing of the sick can be administered to a member of the faithful who, having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age.” If a new illness develops or the first illness relapses or worsens, the patient may receive …
What prayer is said during last rites?
May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up.” The priest will then say the Lord’s Prayer. The priest will recite a final prayer during the communion— a prayer for protection from the Lord. It goes, “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
What is a good prayer to say when someone dies?
Prayer for the Faithful Departed Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. O Lord, your sorrowing Mother stood by your cross; help us in our sorrows to share your sufferings.