Part II. On the Manner of Receiving Extreme Unction

With respect to both the valid and licit reception of Extreme Unction, we refer to those things which we noted in the treatise on the Sacraments in general. It is useful, however, to complete in a few words those things which regard licit reception. Now:

I. For licit reception the state of grace is required. For the reverence due to the sacrament requires a state which corresponds to the end to which it is primarily ordered. But Extreme Unction is primarily ordered to increasing grace. Therefore the state of grace must already be present. If, however, someone attrite and in good faith receives the sacrament, he recovers grace (n. 6).

II. The state of grace can be recovered, by one who is in mortal sin, by reason of Extreme Unction either through confession or through perfect contrition; but by reason of Communion, if this is placed before Extreme Unction, it must be recovered through confession (n. 43). But Communion - although at most only under light obligation - is to be placed before Extreme Unction, according to these words of the Roman Ritual: "From the general custom of the Church it is to be observed that, if time and the condition of the sick person permit, the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist be given to the sick before Extreme Unction"¹ (St. Alphonsus, VI, 716).

Note 1. If the one to be anointed is excommunicated, he should be freed from excommunication before he is absolved from sins and given holy Communion and Extreme Unction.

Note 2. If the sick person suffers from frenzy or insanity, care must be taken that he do nothing against the reverence of the sacrament, for example, if necessary, by binding or firmly holding the sick person (St. Alphonsus, VI, 732).

¹ Title V, cap. 1, n. 2.