• Sacrament of the Sick

  This is a sacrament of healing.  In the Sacrament of the Sick, the Church extends her love and prayer for those suffering from a life-threatening illness or a progressively debilitating illness. Unlike what many grew up believing, this sacrament can be received more than once.  It is not encouraged to be received more than once or twice a year, in most cases, but is intended to bring the comfort and peace that encourages healing.  Last Rites (Extreme Unction is how some of us knew it) or Viaticum (“food for the journey”) is focused on the reception of Eucharist as we near death, experiencing our union with Christ as we prepare to enter into God’s eternal embrace.  This can also be received again.  Only the last time before death is the last time to receive Eucharist in this life.  In neither case are you encouraged to wait till the last moment.  Both aspects of this sacrament are best celebrated when we can still swallow and are conscious.