January 29, 2010
The Bishop's Forum
Holy viaticum: A family matter
by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger
In treating the Sacrament of the Sick, I made reference to what we in the Church used to refer to as the Sacrament of Extreme Unction, or the “Last Rites.” It is now the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
When this change of emphasis took place even prior to the Second Vatican Council, it took some doing on the part of the priest to convince patients that when a priest anointed them, it was not a sign that they were dying. In other words, in this wonderful sacrament peace and reconciliation can be received multiple times during a serious or chronic sickness.
The expression “Last Rites” did include, along with the anointing, a second Sacrament of the Church. If a dying patient was able to swallow, the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist was administered. This sacrament was referred to as holy viaticum.
“Viaticum” comes to us from the Latin for “food for the journey.”
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Communion in the body and blood of Christ, received at this moment of ‘passing over’ to the Father, has a particular significance and importance. It is the seed of eternal life and the power of resurrection, according to the words of the Lord: ‘He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.’ The sacrament of Christ once dead and now risen, the Eucharist is here the sacrament of passing over from death to life, from this world to the Father.’ (CCC, 1524)
The Body and Blood of Jesus is referred to as a pledge of eternal life. Receiving holy viaticum is reassurance to the recipient that Jesus is indeed with them on the journey to eternal life that he has promised.
Providing the Blessed Sacrament for the sick and dying of the community is known to have been the practice of the Church at least since the time of St. Justin in the second century. God never leaves his people in their time of need, providing healing of body and spirit when weaknesses and infirmities set in and the provisions needed when the time comes to make that final passing from our earthly dwelling to life everlasting. What a wonderful gift this is! Let us take comfort and give thanks to our God who continues his presence to his people in all of the Sacraments.