5. How is Extreme Unction administered?
The Priest anoints the different senses of the sick person with holy oil, and uses, at each anointing, this form of prayer: ' Through this holy unction, and His most tender mercy, may the Lord forgive thee whatever sins thou hast committed by thy sight ' (by thy hearing, etc. ) .
6. What effects does Extreme Unction produce in the soul?
Extreme Unction, 1. Increases sanctifying grace; 2, It remits venial sins, and also those mortal sins which the sick person can no more confess; 3. It removes the remains1 of sins already forgiven; and 4. It strengthens the soul in her sufferings and temptations, especially in her agony.
1 By remains of sins we understand the temporal punishment, the evil inclinations of the heart, and the weakness of the will, which are the consequences of sins committed, and remain even after the sins have been forgiven.
7. What effects does Extreme Unction produce in the body?
It often relieves the pains of the sick person, and sometimes restores him even to health, if it be expedient for the salvation of his soul.
8. Who can and ought to receive Extreme Unction?
Every Catholic who has come to the use of reason, and is so ill as to be in danger of death; but not persons in health, even though they are in danger of death.
9. How are we to receive Extreme Unction?
We are to receive it,
1. In the state of grace; wherefore we must previously, if possible, confess our sins, or, at least, make an Act of Perfect Contrition; and
2. With faith, hope, and charity, and resignation to the will of God.
Acts of these and similar virtues should often be made by the sick person during illness, especially when his end approaches,