In the heated moments of confusion, tragedy or a lingering passing, here are some things to consider. Whether it is for us, a close relative or distant friend; sad but necessary preparations must be considered. How do we ensure a holy death so nothing is forgotten? Consider keeping this checklist with all notarized papers declaring medical power of attorney along with a bottle of holy water, blessed candles and a large, blessed crucifix.
_____Step 1: Recognize the desire for a holy death.
A priest must respect free will. Ensure the person possesses these things before calling a priest.
- The person must be Catholic or able to verbalize they wish to become a Catholic. A family member cannot impose a religion upon another person.
- If Catholic, they must desire the last sacraments of confession, anointing of the sick and Viaticum. Sacraments cannot be forced upon a lapsed Catholic if they state they are not interested.
- Sprinkle holy water to bless the space while asking God for spiritual protection, courage and comfort for all present.
- Prepare the room with a crucifix in the patient's line of sight, candles and rosaries. Hospitals may not allow candles which set off fire alarms and sprinkler heads. Moreover, oxygen may be in use, which is flammable.
_____Step 2: Contact a Priest with these specific details.
- (Optional) Ask if an Augustinian priest is available. They can provide a special, final blessing.
- Provide your name, relationship and phone number, especially if calling from an institutional phone.
- Provide the patient's name, address, floor or wing, room# and alertness status--is the patient arousable?
- Provide a window of time in which the priest is needed. This window of time can be obtained from nursing staff. If staff is not available, determine from family if the patient is still making urine, tears and other bodily fluids. Unless trauma is involved, multi-system organ cessation can take hours to days. A ballpark window allows priests time to reverently repose the Blessed Sacrament if holding Adoration. Or he may be able to finish his day, then come.
- Ensure the priest knows to bring items for confession, anointing of the sick, Viaticum and the Apostolic pardon.
_____Step 3: Devotions for the Dying
_____Step 4: Administering the Last Sacraments
- Encourage a General Confession, if they are able to speak. For privacy, everyone leaves the room and all cameras are silenced.
- Prepare the patients' hands for access. The priest anoints the person's forehead and hands with holy oil, praying for healing and strength.
- Viaticum (final Holy Communion) is given as spiritual food for the journey.
- The priest grants the Apostolic Pardon with the following words. This plenary indulgence frees the soul from all temporal punishment due to sin.
“By the authority which the Apostolic See has given me, I grant you a full pardon and the remission of all your sins.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
- (Optional) An Augustinian priest may invoke a final blessing through Our Lady of Consolation.
_____Step 5: Prayers for Dying
- Other prayers will be said. Then the priest leads the family in commendation.
"Go forth, O Christian soul, from this world, in the name of God the Almighty Father, who created you,
in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who suffered for you,
in the name of the Holy Spirit, who was poured out upon you."
- With this, the priest has concluded the sacramental rite, offers his condolences and leaves.
- Pray the Sorrowful mysteries of the holy rosary to unite our suffering with Christ's. As Mother Mary stood at Jesus' blood-dripping crucified-feet, her eyes loved Him until death. We too, "stand" at the foot of our loved ones' cross. As we mimic her poise and "you can do this" eye contact, our job is to love them through their final passion, until the angels arrive to take them home.
- Even if the patient appears comatose, the human voice and hand-holding is recommended. Auditory evidence is its stimulation of bodily tears.
_____Step 6: After Death
- Pray for the deceased: “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.”
- Arrange for a Requiem Mass or Mass of the Deceased. Remains or cremains are reposed into holy ground at a Catholic cemetary.
- Set up 30 Gregorian Holy Masses for the deceased's soul, cost $10-20 each. Here are Catholic priests whose stipend-request is $10/Holy Mass.
- Cry. The amount of grief felt reflects the amount of love shared. Jesus wept for Lazarus, knowing that he'd be revived within minutes.
- Take comfort in Mother Mary's prayers. The wise author of the Hail Mary, epilogued the Biblical quotes of St Gabriel's Annunciation/St Elizabeth's Visitation with "pray for 'us sinners' now and 'at the hour of our death." How many Hail Mary's did we bank throughout our lives for this exact moment?
- Know that you will see them again, God-willing. Trust in our Savior, who destroyed death and rose again. This proves that death, is but a lie.
"In eternity, everything is just beginning..."
Source
Spiritual 911 for Catholics | My Devotional Companion
