Viaticum - The Sacrament of the Dying

Viaticum (a Latin word) can best be translated as ‘food for the journey’. As a Eucharistic people the ‘source and summit’ of our lives is to participate in the Eucharistic banquet Sunday by Sunday where nourished with the ‘bread of life and the cup of eternal salvation’ we renew the covenant established at Baptism when we became a ‘new creation’ in Christ Jesus. 

It is then most fitting that as the Eucharist sustained us in our lives it should also be the last sacrament received as we prepare for the eternal banquet of Heaven.

Pastoral Care of the Dying

This is the title of Part II of the Pastoral Care of the Sick. It states, ‘The Christian community has a continuing responsibility to pray for and with the person who is dying’. The celebration of Viaticum should ideally take place within a full celebration of Mass. 

This enables the family and friends of the dying person to participate in the celebration. Often of course this is not possible, but in the event that a person has a terminal illness and is known to be dying but still remains conscious this celebrations becomes the principal means by which the Christian person is prepared for death. 

‘The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick should be celebrated at the beginning of a serious illness. Viaticum, celebrated when death is close, will then be better understood as the last sacrament of Christian life.”

Renewal of Baptismal Faith

One of the features of the celebration of Viaticum is that the dying person once again professes the faith that began at Baptism. It seems appropriate that the faith first professed at Baptism should at the end of life be once again renewed. Every Easter, the community renews its faith in this way at both the Easter Vigil and at the Masses on Easter Sunday. 

Another important part of the celebration of Viaticum is the Greeting of Peace. In this context this greeting carries with it the sense of leave-taking and is wonderfully placed by commending the dying person to the peace that is to be found in Christ.  Another feature is the words provided for the reception of Holy Communion. The minister says: “May the Lord Jesus Christ protect you and lead you to eternal life.” It is very appropriate that others present, particularly family and close friends would also receive Holy Communion.

Frequency?

Sometimes a person who receives Viaticum may continue to live for some days even though gravely ill. The Pastoral Care of the Dying provides that Viaticum may be administered several times to the dying person. As with the Anointing of the Sick the rite of Viaticum may be adapted depending on the situation and circumstances.

The Final Departure

The last two sections of the Pastoral Care of the Dying conclude with the Commendation of the Dying and Prayers after Death. The Commendation of the Dying contains some of the most beautiful prayers in our Catholic tradition. They provide a great source of comfort to both the dying person and also to their family. It is a reminder that as we pass from life to death we are gathered up in the community of all those who have gone before us in the faith. 

Once a person has died a series of prayers are provided for those who remain, but the rite makes it quite clear that ‘A priest is not to administer the sacraments of Penance or Anointing’, after death. The sacraments of the Church are for the living not for the dead who now have no need of sacraments. In the event that a priest or deacon is not available to take Viaticum to the dying, to pray the Commendation, or the Prayers after Death, another minister can undertake these.

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This article was originally published in  ‘Healing Ministry’. ©  Diocese of Parramatta.  2001, 2007. Reprinted with permission.