It is, and indeed to the highest degree, the negligence of many families towards their sick loved ones, failing to properly arrange for them to receive the holy sacraments in the event of serious illness.
Providing the last spiritual help of religion to the sick is not only an act of meritorious charity in the eyes of God but also a sacred duty, which one cannot neglect without incurring a terrible responsibility. If one is guilty of homicide for allowing a fellow human to die of hunger, what name can be given to the horrific crime of allowing a soul to perish by failing to provide the help of our holy Religion?
And yet, how often does experience show us that this crime is committed even by Catholic families! Whether due to imaginary fears or inexcusable weakness, the priest is called as late as possible, sometimes when the sick person is already unconscious. We are not speaking here of families who purposely wait until the sick person is in their final moments and who treat religion as a vain formality out of mere convenience. Let us turn our gaze away from such indignity! We speak of those families where enough faith remains to consider the sacraments as sacred, to wish that the sick receive them with Christian preparation, and yet, they only speak to the sick person about confession after all hope of recovery has been lost. And what often happens in this case? There is still hesitation, the moment is delayed; the terrible symptoms emerge, and then they rush to find a priest—but they arrive too late, all has ended! May God not allow you to be treated this way in your final hour!
But what prevents the fulfillment of this sacred duty? “I don’t dare speak to them about a priest,” you say, “I fear scaring them.” And even if they were to be scared, would you rather risk their soul facing eternal damnation or a long expiation in purgatory? Frightening them? If they were asleep on the edge of an abyss or in a house engulfed in flames, would you hesitate to wake them for fear of scaring them?
You say you will call the priest when the sick person asks for him. But are you unaware that the sick rarely understand the seriousness of their condition? It is your duty to prepare the sick person so that they may receive religious help in time. Go promptly to your parish or the known priest who will assist you in fulfilling this serious responsibility.
Banish from your mind the false concern that speaking of the sacraments will frighten the sick.
Experience shows that the sick person knows that the priest comes to perform the sweetest and most beneficial of all ministries, to purify and console their soul, and to bring, in the midst of the most cruel anguish, the peace and sweetness of Jesus Christ.
The first task to undertake when noticing that a sick person is in danger is to call the parish priest or confessor so that they can administer the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Extreme Unction, and apply the plenary indulgence at the moment of death (few, very few know of this great grace. Demand it from the priest).
Note: In some countries, there are associations whose members commit to notify each other in case of serious illness to ensure timely reception of spiritual assistance. Why couldn’t we establish something similar here among us? Or perhaps agree to this with two or three relatives. Another point to consider is to always be in a state of grace (having confessed) before undergoing any surgery, even if the risk is low. Let us not forget that the commandments of our Holy Mother Church oblige us to go to Confession at least once a year (the bare minimum) or if there is a danger of death. Lastly, it is essential to ensure that the sick person is always wearing their scapular, and if they have not received it, ask the attending priest to impose it. Every Catholic should always wear it.
Oh Mother of Mercy, kindly hear the prayers of Christian families, so that none may die in their homes without having received the Holy Viaticum!
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