On Extreme Unction

"Which part of the feet, the upper or lower, is to be anointed in the Sacrament of Extreme Unction? Resp. Nothing is to be innovated." S. R. C. 27 Aug. 1836. Cf. Gardell. n. 4780.

"The good pleasure of His Holiness is desired, that in Extreme Unction to be given to women, the anointing of the feet be omitted. It was responded at another time: the common custom of the Church is to be observed." Qualifiers of the Holy Office, 1674, Father Navarette, Missionary in China. Cf. On Baptism, N. 253.

"But as regards the anointing of the loins, which Your Amplitude testifies was never employed in that Diocese in administering the Sacrament of Extreme Unction, and which therefore you request be permitted to be omitted in the Roman Ritual, it seemed to the Sacred Congregation that no suppression or change whatever in the Ritual, whether in this or in any other matter whatever, ought to be introduced, but it willed that it be printed integrally and faithfully as it was edited by Paul V and revised and corrected by Benedict XIV. But if the anointing of the loins has been unused there until now, the Sacred Congregation declared that it indeed would patiently bear it, if the singular circumstances of that Diocese impede that this anointing be immediately and universally reduced to practice; at the same time, however, it expressed its most ardent wish that, through the care of Your Amplitude and by the teaching of Parish Priests, the faithful be gradually and imperceptibly disposed to receiving also that special anointing in the final struggle, according to the prescriptions of the Roman Ritual." S. R. C. 14 Aug. 1858, Utrecht.

"Whether the Sacrament of Extreme Unction can be validly ministered with oil not consecrated by Episcopal blessing? Resp. Negatively. The S. C. I. condemned the contrary doctrine as rash and proximate to error." 13 Jan. 1655; 14 Sept. 1842.

"Whether in that Diocese of Port Louis, in which the use has prevailed of employing a style or little silver rod in the administration of Extreme Unction, that use itself can safely be continued? Resp. Negatively, the cause of necessity being removed." S. R. C. 9 May 1857.

"The very words of divine utterance having been inspected, it is easily clear that the Sacrament of Extreme Unction, even in a case of necessity, namely when another Presbyter is absent, cannot be ministered by a sick Missionary to himself." S. C. de P. F. 23 March 1844.

The Oil of Extreme Unction is not to be carried solemnly to the sick with surplice and lanterns. S. R. C. 28 Jan. 1606.

"Priests exercising care of souls, for their own convenience, retain with themselves in their houses the Holy Oil of the sick. Whether, account being had of custom, they can lawfully retain this practice? Resp. Negatively, and let the Roman Ritual be observed; except, however, the case of great distance from the church; in which case the Rubric is altogether to be observed, even at home, as regards honest, decent, and safe custody." S. R. C. 16 Dec. 1826.

"When some adult Pagan sufficiently instructed and duly disposed is baptized, because he has fallen into grave illness, ought, indeed can, the sacrament of Extreme Unction be conferred upon him immediately after Baptism? Resp. Affirmatively, with the form of the Decree of the Holy Office of the year 1803 observed." S. C. de P. F. 26 Sept. 1821.

"Sometimes when Missionaries visit the Christians committed to them, there occurs a sick person laboring from hectic fever or a similar disease, who according to experience will still live several months, but will die within a year. It is asked whether in such a case the Missionary can administer to him Viaticum and Extreme Unction, because when the more true case of receiving them will be present, a Missionary will not be able to be had present because of great distance and other circumstances impeding it? Resp. Affirmatively." S. C. de P. F. 20 Feb. 1801.

"Whether Extreme Unction is to be conferred on dying adults whom we sometimes believe capable of Baptism, but not of the other Sacraments? Resp. The sacrament of Extreme Unction is not to be conferred on a dying neophyte whom the Missionary believed capable of Baptism, unless at least the same person has some intention of receiving Sacred Unction ordered for the benefit of the soul for the time of death." Holy Office, 1803; 10 Apr. 1861. Cf. On Confirmation, N. 271.