Case 1. Reviviscence of the Sacraments

Peter, a missionary called to a dying man, fortified him with the last sacraments and the blessing at the point of death. As Peter was about to leave the dying man’s room after the sacraments had been administered, he was called back by the dying man, who said: “Father, I made a bad confession.” After the confession was heard again and absolution given, Peter doubted whether or not he ought to repeat the other sacraments and the blessing. Hence it is asked:

1. What is an unformed and a formed sacrament?

2. When the obstacle has been removed, does an unformed sacrament revive?

3. When does one who has been blessed at the point of death gain the indulgence by the papal blessing?

4. What is to be said of the case?

1. What is a formed and unformed sacrament?

A formed sacrament not only has everything required for its validity but the requisite dispositions are present in the recipient, so that it produces grace when it is received. An unformed sacrament is validly received, but for want of the necessary dispositions in the recipient it does not at the time produce grace in the soul.¹

81 *

1 Manual of Moral Theology, vol. ii, p. 17.

2. Does an unformed sacrament produce grace when the impediment to grace is removed?

Baptism, Confirmation, Order, when received unformed, according to the common opinion, produce grace in the soul on removal of the obstacle. Many authorities teach the same with respect to Matrimony and Extreme Unction. Penance probably does. The Eucharist does not.²

2 Ibid., p. 18.

3. When does the last blessing take its effect?

The last blessing takes effect at the moment of death. It may be given immediately after Extreme Unction and then its effect is suspended until the moment when death takes place.³

3 Lehmkuhl, vol. ii, n. 709.

4. The case. Peter, a missionary, had given a dying man the last sacraments and the papal blessing. When he was leaving the room the dying man called him back and told him that the confession which he had just made was a bad one. Peter heard his confession again and absolved him, but was in doubt as to whether he should repeat the other sacraments and the papal blessing. He should not repeat Extreme Unction for it can be received only once in the same sickness, and the doctrine of reviviscence makes repetition unnecessary. Nor need he repeat the last blessing, for it will take its effect at the moment of death. He may and should administer Holy Communion again for the previous Holy Communion was sacrilegious.