The Importance of the Last Rites of the Church

My dear People of God: friends & parishioners;

Our care for the sick and the dying is our top priority as faith community at St. Vital Parish. Every February 11 we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, “Health of the Sick.” It is the day established as “World Day of the Sick. It is the day of prayer for healing.

We pray as a faith community to God through the intercession of the Immaculate Mary, mother of our Lord and S

aviour, Jesus Christ. We celebrate the Mass. It is the day of our pastoral care. We visit our seniors, elderly, the sick and those who are in dire need of Divine Mercy.

February 13, 2026 was the evening of Healing Service here in our parish. I also visited one of our parishioners who lived alone, by himself who is in an advanced age. After an hour of visit and conversation, his spirit was lifted up. God was in the midst of us who brought, healing, comfort and joy to that person. Our journey of prayer and pastoral care for them is from womb to tomb, a life time journey in faith, hope and love.

What shall we do when our loved ones are on major surgery, in danger of death, advanced age, with debilitating disease and diagnosed with terminal illness or death is near?

Don’t be in panic, trust in God. We do our best and the rest we confidently placed our absolute trust in the Lord who knows what is best for us. But don’t forget to call for a priest. I am on call 24/7 on this emergency number 1403-4156183 or email me at nilmac2003@yahoo.com. I will try my best to minister to the sick and the dying.

Remember that death is not the end but a transition to eternal life brought by the grace of God through Christ’s Sacraments. St. Faustina Kowalska, secretary of the Divine Mercy knew so well the signature of God placed under His icon, which is “Jesus, I trust In You.”

We absolutely trust in the power of our Victor-King who conquered death through His Cross and resurrection. “Dying you destroyed our death, rising, you restored our life, Lord Jesus come in glory!” We need to apply necessary graces for our eternal salvation which is poured out through the Sacraments. As a priest of Jesus Christ, I can administer the following rites:

Firstly, the Sacrament of Holy Anointing for the Sick which was a common practice dates back in the early Church. It unites the sick person to the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ. St. James Epistle attests to this Sacrament, James 5:14-15. “Is there anyone sick, among you, let them send for the priests of the Church. Anointing them with oil and pray over them. The prayer of faith will save the sick persons and if they have committed any sins, there sins will be forgiven”. “By His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

Secondly, the Sacrament of Penance or Confession is also essential to the sacred journey of the sick person. Sin separates us from God and one another. This Sacrament bridges us to God and restores our spiritual relationship. A spiritual bridge between earthly life to eternal life, life in heaven. It is the path of humility to merge with the path of God. It is not only we receive God’s forgiveness of our sins but wholistic healing. It restores us to God’s grace and friendship. This is an assurance of the richness of God’s merciful love for us. “Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven”. (John 20:23). Our sins are absolved. We are cleansed from sin and to any obstacle that hinders us to go to heaven. Therefore, this is vital to enter heaven, what a beautiful Sacrament that reconciles us to God and to the Church. The magnitude of inner peace is beyond measure, peace of conscience and tranquility to one’s soul. God respects our freewill and our freedom when to return back home to Him. He patiently awaits, he does not coerce anyone.

Thirdly, the Eucharist as spiritual food for a journey to eternal life, our Holy Viaticum. Christ Jesus is our Living Bread who is our Passover meal. He is the source of life beyond death. Direct from His lips: “I am the Living Bread that has come down from Heaven. Whoever eats this Bread shall live forever (eternal life) and I will raise them up on the last day.” (John 6:51) This is also known as “Holy Communion.” Who then can separate us from the Love of God, St. Paul asks. He concluded that: “Even death can never separate us from the love of God which was made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8: 38-39. Our hope is not in vain. We are certain and sure because the one who promised us is an absolute Truth who can not deceive Himself nor us. “I am the TRUTH.” (John 14:6)

Every parish priest can bestow an Apostolic Blessing. The Apostolic Pardon is blessing with an indulgence that happens at the conclusion of the anointing of the sick if the recipient is in danger of death. The usual process is confession then anointing of the sick, and it is concluded with the Apostolic Pardon. While confession forgives the eternal punishment for sin, the indulgence attached to the Apostolic Pardon forgives temporal punishment due to sin.

The words of the blessing said by the priest for the Apostolic Pardon are:

“Through the holy mysteries of our redemption may almighty God release you from all punishments in this life and in the life to come. May he open to you the gates of paradise and welcome you to everlasting joy.”

or

“By the authority which the Apostolic See has given me, I grant you a full pardon and the remission of all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Thus, these three rites are our full support for our brothers and sisters. We are one with them on this sacred journey to eternal life. Jesus our Good Shepherd assures us that we will never be lost, as the Psalmist declares: “Though I walk in the valley of darkness I fear no evil for He is at my side.” Psalm 23:4

Eternal life begins at our Baptism and now strengthens by these final rites. Therefore, our ultimate goal is salvation and eternal life only found in Jesus Christ in our Catholic Church. “No one comes to the Eternal Father except through Me.” John 14:6. The only one who can bring us to heaven is the only one who came down from heaven. So, don’t hesitate to call for the priest at this kind of need. You will never regret. May God enrich you with His grace and heavenly favours.

Yours devotedly in Christ the LORD,

Fr. Nilo Macapinlac, pastor