Xli. Of The Sacrament Of Extreme Unction
XLI. OF THE SACRAMENT OF EXTREME UNCTION
(A)
What is the sacrament which, when he is about to die, prepares man for his entrance into heaven?
It is the sacrament of Extreme Unction (XXIX. 1).
What is this sacrament?
It is that holy rite instituted by Jesus Christ, that consists in anointing with the holy oils one who is about to die; God is asked to remit whatsoever remains of spiritual weakness which is due to past sin, so that the soul might recover fully and perfectly its spiritual health; with this renewed vigour of soul man is prepared to enter the glory of heaven (XXIX.-XXXII.).
Does this sacrament remit sins?
No, for it is not ordained either against original sin as is Baptism, nor against mortal sin as is Penance, nor in a sense against venial sins, as is the Holy Eucharist; but its object is to restore strength to the soul after the evil of sin has been taken away. However, by reason of the special grace it confers which is incompatible with sin, it can remit indirectly the sins which are in the soul, provided there be no obstacle on the part of the person; that is to say if the person is in good faith and has done all he can to get rid of them (XXX. 1).
Does Extreme Unction also bring back health to the body?
Yes; indeed it is one of the proper effects of this sacrament to do this, and in such wise that always, provided the person puts no obstacle in the way, the virtue of this sacrament brings back physical strength and bodily health; and this it does in such measure that the spiritual health may be benefited thereby, for this latter is the primary and principal effect of the sacrament (XXX. 2).
(B)
When may one and when ought one to receive this sacrament?
One may receive it in sickness or bodily failing which puts one in danger of death; one should strive to receive the sacrament in the full state of consciousness so as to receive it with the greatest possible fervour (XXXII. 1, 2).
May one receive this sacrament several times?
One may not receive it more than once in one and the same danger of death. But if after having received it health is recovered, or at least danger of death ceases, one may receive it as often as there are subsequent dangers of death, by reason of the different sicknesses; and if one and the same sickness is prolonged to a great length of time, the sacrament may again be received (XXXIII. 1, 2).
Is Extreme Unction the last sacrament instituted by our Lord to give to men the benefit of the life of His grace?
Yes, it is the last sacrament to give grace to man in so far as he is an individual. But there are two other sacraments of great importance which bring to men this life of grace in so far as they form part of a society, and these are the sacraments of Holy Orders and Matrimony.