The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick can be received by any Catholic whose health is in a critical state. Jesus teaches us that Heaven suffers with us when we suffer. God even wants to be rediscovered in "the least of these my brethren". That is why Jesus designated the care of the sick as a central task for his disciples. He commands them, "Heal the sick", and He promises them divine authority: "In my name they will cast out demons;... they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover".
"Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up."
- Ritual for the Anointing of the Sick
La Unción de los enfermos otorga consuelo, paz y ánimo y une al enfermo, en su situación precaria y en su sufrimiento, de un modo más íntimo con Cristo. Porque el Señor pasó por nuestros miedos y llevó en su cuerpo nuestros dolores. En algunas personas, la Unción de los enfermos logra la curación corporal. Pero si Dios quiere llevarse consigo a alguien, la Unción de los enfermos le otorga la fuerza para todas las luchas corporales y espirituales en su último viaje. En cualquier caso, la Unción de los enfermos tiene el efecto de perdonar los pecados.
At the Funeral Vigil the Christian community keeps watch with the family in prayer to the God of mercy and finds strength in Christ’s presence. When celebrated by a priest or deacon, the vigil includes a Liturgy of the Word and additional prayers. As is customary, the Rosary is also usually prayed in conjunction with a funeral vigil.
The Funeral Mass is the central liturgical celebration of the Christian community for the deceased. In this liturgy, the community gathers at the church with the family and friends of the deceased to give praise and thanks to god for Christ’s victory over sin and death, to commend the deceased to god’s tender mercy and compassion, and to seek strength in the proclamation of the paschal mystery.
The Rite of Committal, the conclusion of the funeral rites is celebrated at the grave or tomb and is the final act of the community of faith in caring for the body of its deceased member. In committing the body to its resting place, the community expresses that hope that, with all those who have gone before marked with the sign of faith, the deceased awaits the glory of the resurrection.