Last Rites vs Anointing of the Sick — What Catholics Actually Need to Know

They Are Not the Same Thing

"Last Rites" is one of the most misunderstood terms in Catholic practice. Most people use it as a catch-all for whatever the priest does at the deathbed. But in Catholic practice, "Last Rites" is not a single sacrament — it refers to a sequence of up to three distinct liturgical actions administered to a person in danger of death.

The Anointing of the Sick is one of those three. Understanding what each one does, and when it applies, helps families request the right thing at the right time.

The Three Liturgical Actions in the Last Rites

1. The Sacrament of Penance (Confession) — If the dying person is conscious and able to speak, a priest hears their confession and grants absolution. This sacrament reconciles the person with God and the Church. If the person cannot communicate, tell the priest so he can determine which rites can be celebrated.

2. The Anointing of the Sick — The priest anoints the person's forehead and hands with the Oil of the Sick, praying for spiritual strength, physical healing (where God wills it), and the forgiveness of sins. This is the sacrament most people associate with the "Last Rites" label.

Unlike the older practice, the Anointing of the Sick can be administered multiple times as an illness progresses or worsens. It is not exclusively a deathbed sacrament.

3. Viaticum — The final reception of Holy Communion, given as "food for the journey" from this life to the next. Viaticum is theologically the most important of the three — it is the sacrament specifically designated for the dying. Like the Anointing, it can be received more than once if the dying process extends over days or weeks.

When to Call the Priest

Call the parish immediately when:

• A family member enters hospice or palliative care
• A sudden medical crisis occurs (stroke, heart attack, serious accident)
• An elderly person shows signs of rapid decline
• Someone is scheduled for major surgery

Do not wait until the person is unconscious or actively dying. If the person is conscious and able to communicate, tell the priest so Confession and Viaticum can be considered. Many families delay the call out of fear that requesting a priest will frighten the dying person — but in Catholic tradition, these sacraments are a source of deep comfort, not a death sentence.

In hospitals and care facilities, the institutional Catholic chaplain has jurisdiction over sacramental ministry. A visiting parish priest must get permission from the chaplain before administering sacraments — so contact the facility's chaplaincy service as well.

What If No Priest Arrives in Time

If someone dies before a priest can reach them, a family member or caregiver should immediately pray the Prayers after Death from the Order of Christian Funerals. Trace the Sign of the Cross on the deceased's forehead. Any layperson or caregiver can lead these prayers — ordination is not required.

If a priest cannot arrive in time, the family can still pray the OCF Prayers after Death and contact the parish to arrange the funeral rites.

A Common Source of Confusion

Many people believe the Last Rites can only be administered once, making the decision to "call the priest" feel irreversible. This is not true. The Anointing of the Sick can be repeated whenever the person's condition changes, and Viaticum can be received multiple times during a prolonged dying process.

The Catholic Funeral Guide includes a detailed section on end-of-life sacraments with a notification checklist, so families know exactly when and how to request a priest's presence.