Years ago, this sacrament was called Extreme Unction (last
anointing), not because it was the last sacrament you received
before you died, but because it was the last anointing
a person received. Baptism and Confirmation are the first
two times we are anointed. Many older Catholics are under
the mistaken impression that you can only receive the sacrament
on your death bed; quite literally “Last Rites”.
This may have seemed true in years past, but with modern
medical advances today improving our recovery from illness,
the sacrament is rightly received by anyone suffering a
serious injury or illness and can be received as often
as needed.
