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Text Box: The Orthodox - Basilian Catechism Q. 965. What seems most proper with regard to the things necessary for the last Sacraments? A. It seems most proper that the things necessary for the last Sacraments should be carefully kept in every Orthodox Catholic family, and should never, if possible, be used for any other purpose. Q. 966. What else is to be observed about the preparation for the administration of the last Sacraments? A. The further preparation for the administration of the last Sacraments requires that out of respect for the Sacraments, and in particular for the presence of Our Lord, everything about the sick-room, the sick person and even the attendants, should be made as neat and clean as possible. Especially should the face, hands and feet of the one to be anointed be thoroughly clean. Q. 967. Should we wait until we are in extreme danger before we receive Extreme Unction? A. We should not wait until we are in extreme danger before we receive Extreme Unction, but if possible we should receive it whilst we have the use of our senses. Q. 968. What should we do in case of serious illness if the sick person will not consent or is afraid to receive the Sacraments, or, at least, wishes to put off their reception? A. In case of serious illness, if the sick person will not consent, or is afraid to receive the Sacraments, or, at least, wishes to put off their reception, we should send for the priest at once and let him do what he thinks best in the case, and thus we will free ourselves from the responsibility of letting an Orthodox Catholic die without the last Sacraments. Q. 969. Which are the effects of the Sacrament of Extreme Unction or Holy Anointing?

Text Box: A. The effects of Extreme Unction or Holy Anointing are: 1. To comfort us in the pains of sickness and to strengthen us against temptations; 2. To remit venial sins and to cleanse our soul from the remains of sin; 3. To restore us to health, when God sees fit. Q. 970. Will Extreme Unction or Holy Anointing take away mortal sin if the dying person is no longer able to confess? A. Extreme Unction or Holy Anointing will take away mortal sin if the dying person is no longer able to confess, provided he has the sorrow for his sins that would be necessary for the worthy reception of the Sacrament of Penance. Q. 971. How do we know that this Sacrament, more than any other, was instituted to benefit the body? A. We know that this Sacrament more than any other was instituted to benefit the body: 1. From the words of St. James exhorting us to receive it; 2. It is given when the soul is already purified by the graces of Penance and Holy Viaticum; 3. One of its chief objects is to restore us to health if it be for our spiritual good, as most of the prayers said in giving this Sacrament indicate. Q. 972. Since Extreme Unction or Holy Anointing may restore us to health, should we not be glad to receive it? A. Since Extreme Unction or Holy Anointing may restore us to health. we should be glad to receive it, and we should not delay its reception till we are so near death that God could restore us only by an overt miracle. Again, this Sacrament, like the others, gives sanctifying and sacramental grace, which we should be eager to obtain as soon as our sickness is sufficient to give us the privilege of receiving the last Sacraments. Q. 973. What do you mean by the remains of sin? A. By the remains of sin I mean the

Text Box: inclination to evil and the weakness of the will which are the result of our sins, and which remain after our sins have been forgiven. Q. 974. How should we receive the Sacrament of Extreme Unction or Holy Anointing? A. We should receive the Sacrament of Extreme Unction or Holy Anointing in the state of grace, and with lively faith and resignation to the will of God. Q. 975. Who is the minister of the Sacrament of Extreme Unction or Holy Anointing? A. The priest is the minister of the Sacrament of Extreme Unction or Holy Anointing. Q. 976. What is the final preparation we should make for the reception of the last Sacraments? A. The final preparation we should make for the reception of the last Sacraments consists in an earnest effort to be resigned to God's Holy Will, to excite ourselves to true sorrow for our sins, to profit by the graces given us, to keep worldly thoughts from the mind, and to dispose ourselves as best we can for the worthy reception of the Sacraments and the blessings of a good death. Q. 977. At what time should persons dangerously ill attend to the final arrangement of their temporal or worldly affairs? A. Persons dangerously ill should attend to the final arrangement of their temporal or worldly affairs at the very beginning of their illness, that these things may not distract them at the hour of death, and that they may give the last hours of their life entirely to the care of their soul. Q. 978. What is the Sacrament of Holy Orders? A. Holy Orders is a Sacrament by which bishops, priests, and other ministers of the Church are ordained

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