Last Rites

Urged by grave necessity, the priest anoints the forehead of the dying person and says

By this holy + Unction, and by his most gracious mercy, the Lord pardon thee whatsoever thou hast done amiss. Amen.

Otherwise

Entering the sick person’s room, the Priest shall say

V. Peace be to this house.

R. And to all that dwell in it.

The priest may sprinkle the sick person, his room, and those present with holy water, saying

Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, O Lord, and I shall be clean: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Preliminary Prayers which may be shortened or omitted

V. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.

R. Who hath made heaven and earth.

V. The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

We beseech thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that as we thy servants do enter this house, there may also come in everlasting happiness, divine prosperity, unclouded gladness, fruitful charity, eternal health; let no evil spirit approach this place; let the Angels of peace be present, and let all hatred and dissension be done away. Magnify thy holy Name upon us, O Lord, and bless our conversation; hallow our humble entrance, for thou art holy and gracious, and abidest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.

Let us pray and beseech our Lord Jesus Christ that in blessing he may bless this habitation and all who dwell herein, and give his Angel charge concerning them, and make them to serve him, that they may behold the wondrous things of his law. May he turn away from them all hostile powers. May he deliver them from every terror and from all disquietude, and vouchsafe to keep them in health in this dwelling place. Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth God, world without end. Amen.

Let us pray.

Graciously hear us, O Lord holy, Father Almighty, everlasting God: and send thy holy Angel from heaven to guard, cherish, protect, visit, and defend all who dwell in this habitation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall be said the General Confession and Absolution, unless the sick person has just made his confession

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty, Provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; The remembrance of them is grievous unto us; The burden of them is intolerable. Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Turning toward the sick person, the Priest says

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him; Have mercy upon thee; pardon and deliver thee from all thy sins; confirm and strengthen thee in all goodness; and bring thee to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Before the anointing, the sign of the cross being made three times over the sick person, the Priest may say

In the Name of the + Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy + Ghost, may there be extinguished in thee all power of the devil, by the imposition of our hands, and by the invocation of the glorious and holy Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, and of her illustrious spouse Saint Joseph, and of all the holy Angels, Archangels, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins, and all the Saints. Amen.

The Form of the Anointing

It is an ancient practice of the Church that the sick person be anointed at each of the seats of the senses

At the eyes, which should be closed

By this holy + Unction, and by his most gracious mercy, the Lord pardon thee whatsoever thou hast done amiss by seeing. Amen.

At the ears

By this holy + Unction, and by his most gracious mercy, the Lord pardon thee whatsoever thou hast done amiss by hearing. Amen.

At the nostrils

By this holy + Unction, and by his most gracious mercy, the Lord pardon thee whatsoever thou hast done amiss by smelling. Amen.

At the lips, which should be closed

By this holy + Unction, and by his most gracious mercy, the Lord pardon thee whatsoever thou hast done amiss by tasting and speaking. Amen.

At the hands — palms of lay persons, backs of hands of priests

By this holy + Unction, and by his most gracious mercy, the Lord pardon thee whatsoever thou hast done amiss by touching. Amen.

At the feet

By this holy + Unction, and by his most gracious mercy, the Lord pardon thee whatsoever thou hast done amiss by walking. Amen.

The anointing of the feet may be omitted for any reasonable cause.

Concluding Prayers

The Priest cleanses his fingers, and continues

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven, Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

V. O Lord, save thy servant;

R. Who putteth his trust in thee.

V. Send him help from thy holy place;

R. And evermore mightily defend him.

V. Let the enemy have no advantage of him;

R. Nor the wicked approach to hurt him.

V. Be unto him, O Lord, a strong tower;

R. From the face of his enemy.

V. O Lord, hear our prayer.

R. And let our cry come unto thee.

V. The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

O Lord God, who by thy holy Apostle James hast said: Is any sick among you? let him call for the Presbyters of the Church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed sins they shall be forgiven him; heal, we beseech thee, O our Redeemer, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, the weakness of this sick person, cure his wounds, forgive his sins, and cast out from him all pain of mind and body, mercifully restore unto him soundness both within and without, that made whole by thy gracious aid, he may return again to his daily course of life. Who with the Father and the same Holy Spirit, livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen.

A Final Blessing

Into God’s gracious mercy and protection we commit thee. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace, both now and evermore. Amen.