BASIC R.C.BELIEF

The last of the seven Sacraments, also known as Last Rites. Its primary purpose is to prepare one for death and, if possible, Holy Communion, known as Holy Viaticum is administered. It is a very solemn ceremony performed usually in a darkened room. The priest carries on an involved ritual, and mutters Latin phrases "unintelligible even to Julius Caesar" (Alex Dunlap).

HOLY VIATICUM Holy Communion given to a person in danger of dying, in the Sacrament of Extreme Unction. Viaticum means provision for a journey. Dr. Ludwig Ott, in FUNDAMENTALS OF CATHOLIC DOGMA, page 423, quotes from the Council of Nicaea, canon 13. "In regard to those in a dying condition, the ancient Church rule should be observed that nobody departing this life be deprived of the last and most necessary viaticum."

The Council of Trent said that this Sacrament was instituted by Christ in Mark 6:13 and confirmed by James in James 5:14-15.

From RC ENQUIRER'S COURSE, we read, "On the Thursday before Easter the bishop consecrates the oil to be used in the anointing of the sick. He prays, `O God, please send down from Heaven the Holy Spirit into this rich oil. . . may all who are anointed with this heavenly medicine be protected in soul and body.'"

POST VATICAN II

During Vatican II, in a move that was hailed by some Roman Catholic theologians as "the most meaningful work of the Council so far," the name of the Sacrament was changed to The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. The dual purpose was to make it less terrifying to recipients, and to bring it closer to the scripture claimed for its basis (James 5:14). The rite has been simplified and modernized in recent years.

From 1989 CATHOLIC ALMANAC. By the anointing with blessed oil and the prayer of a priest, the sacrament confers on the person comforting grace; the remission of venial sins, and inculpable or unconfessed MortalSinmortal sins, together with at least some of the temporal punishment due for sins; and, sometimes results in an improved state of health. Through this holy anointing and his most loving mercy, may the Lord assist you by the grace of the Holy Spirit so that, when you have been freed from your sins, he may save you and in his goodness raise you up."

From CATHOLICISM VS. FUNDAMENTALISM, Keating, page 39. "Notice that Boettner makes no effort to give the Church's explanation of (Extreme Unction's) origin. Why? Because the origin is found in the New Testament itself. (Keating then quotes James 5:14-15). This scriptural injunction was followed from the earliest days of the Church."

From Knights of Columbus course. "Extreme Unction - the Bible teaches that the anointing of the sick with oil and prayer by the priests of the Church may obtain forgiveness of sins and even refreshment of body (James 5:14-16).

"The Council of Trent declared that `whosoever shall affirm that Extreme Unction is not a sacrament; that it does not confer grace, forgive sin, relieve the sick; that it is repugnant to the doctrine of thew Apostle James; that the "Elders of the Church" are not Priests, ordained by the Bishop, and therefore that the Priest is not the only proper Minister of Extreme Unction, LET HIM BE ANATHEMA.'"

CHRISTIAN COMMENT

James 5 says nothing about preparing a man to die; it has to do with physical healing. While the Catholic Church has tried to modernize this sacrament, for centuries it was only though of as preparation for death. The very name of the Communion rite observed (Holy Viaticum) means "preparation for a journey."

Extreme Unction was unheard of until the 6th century. Because of the huge fee charged for the "sacrament" it was not accessible to the common people.