Viaticum - Food from the Journey
By Rev Mr Michael Closs, Ottawa

Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 07:03:26 +1000
Subject: Re:Viaticum

My impression is that the rite of viaticum is not as well understood among  deacons as it might be.

Thank you Ed Sadowski for pointing out that viaticum is a "rite", that deacons are "ordinary" ministers of it, and that there are pastoral resources available outlining how it is to be administered.   Martin Wager observes that viaticum means "food for the journey" but his post suggests that he interprets the rite as simply bringing communion to the sick and perhaps saying an appropriate blessing from the Book of Blessings.  In fact, the rite is far more than that.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has also put out a  booklet "Communion of the Sick" which provides ritual and pastoral notes for ministers of viaticum.

Here are some quotes from the introduction to the celebration of viaticum in the CCCB publication.

"The celebration of the eucharist as viaticum, food for the passage through death to eternal life, is the sacrament proper to the dying Christian.  It is the completion and crown of the Christian life on this earth, signifying that the Christian follows the Lord to eternal glory and the banquet of the heavenly kingdom."

[Comment. Note that the bishops describe viaticum as THE SACRAMENT PROPER TO THE DYING CHRISTIAN.  A popular misconception is to place the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick in this role.]

"The sacrament of 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."

"Priests and other ministers entrusted with the spiritual care of the sick should do everything they can to ensure that those in proximate danger of death receive the body and blood of Christ as viaticum. ..."

"Whenever it is possible, the dying Christian should be able to receive viaticum within Mass. ...  However, circumstances such as confinement to a  hospital ward or the very emergency which makes death imminent, may frequently make the complete eucharistic celebration impossible.  In this case, the rite for viaticum outside Mass is appropriate.  The minister should wear attire appropriate to this ministry."

[Comment. For deacons, the appropriate attire is alb and stole since the rite of viaticum outside Mass is a special liturgy of the word with communion service.]

"A distinctive feature of the celebration of viaticum, whether inside or outside Mass, is the renewal of the baptismal profession of faith by the dying person. This occurs after the homily and replaces the usual form of the profession of faith. ..."

[Comment. If the sick person is not capable of responding, the minister and those present may say the Apostle's Creed for the person.]

"The rites for viaticum within and outside Mass may include the sign of peace. The minister and all who are present embrace the dying Christian.  In this and in other parts of the celebration the sense of leave-taking need  not be concealed or denied, but the joy of Christian hope, which is the comfort and strength of the one near death, should also be evident."

"As an indication that the reception of the eucharist by the dying Christian is a pledge of resurrection and food for the passage through death, the special words proper to viaticum are added: "May the Lord Jesus Christ protect you and lead you to eternal life."  The dying person and all who are present may receive Communion under both kinds.  The sign of communion is more complete when received in this manner because it expresses more fully and clearly the nature of the eucharist as a meal, ..."

[Comment. The bishops have given dying people permission to receive communion under both kinds.  A local pastor is not authorized to deprive a dying person of this privilege.]

"The minister should choose the manner of giving communion under both kinds which is suitable in the particular case.  If the wine is consecrated at a Mass not celebrated in the presence of the sick person, the blood of the Lord is kept in a properly covered vessel and is placed in the tabernacle after communion. The precious blood should be carried to the sick person in a vessel which is closed in such a way as to eliminate all danger of spilling. ..."

"The sick who are unable to receive under the form of bread may receive under the form of wine alone.. ..."

"In addition to these elements of the rites which are to be given greater stress, special texts are provided for the general intercessions or litany and the final solemn blessing."

"It often happens that a person who has received the eucharist as viaticum lingers in grave condition at the point of death for a period of days or longer.  In these circumstances he or she should be given the opportunity to  receive the eucharist as viaticum on successive days, frequently if not daily. ..."

"Although viaticum celebrated in the context of the full eucharistic celebration is always preferable, when it is not possible the rite for viaticum outside Mass is appropriate.  This rite includes some of the
> elements of the Mass, especially a brief liturgy of the word.  Depending on the circumstances and the condition of the dying person, this rite should be a communal celebration. Every effort should be made to involve the dying person, family, friends, and members of the local community in the planning and celebration. ..."

"An abbreviated liturgy of the word, ordinarily consisting of a single biblical reading, gives the minister an opportunity to explain the word of God in relation to viaticum.  The sacrament should be described as the sacred food which strengthens the Christian for the passage through death to life in sure hope of the resurrection."

Michael Closs
Ottawa

-----end of quotes -----
Bob Tomato (Jun 13) wrote:
One of the frustrations noted by deacons involved in hospital work is the fact that they are not allowed to administer the Rite of Anointing.  In addition, Deacons are often involved in situations where person is dying and a priest is not available.  In these instances, it would seem that that the Deacon could legally lead the person through prayers of penance and an act of perfect contrition followed by prayers for health/happy death and a blessing with holy water.

Edward Sadowski (June 13) replied:
Deacons are ORDINARY ministers of VIATICUM.  The rite to be followed by priests and deacons is found in the publication "Pastoral Care of the Sick - Rites of Anointing and Viaticum."  My copy is published by Catholic Book Publishing Co. and cost me $8.95.

Martin Wager (June 13) noted:
I brought the Book of Blessings, using the Order for the Blessing of Travelers, and gave him and his mother Communion.  I got a call the following Friday, from a fellow deacon who told me he had  respiratory failure, and died in the arms of an aide.    I learned from this experience, the meaning of "Viaticum" - food for the  journey.