By Father Michael N. Lavallee pastor, St. Peter Parish, Northbridge
In Catholic Health Care Ethics: A Manual for Practitioners, Second Edition, James M. DuBois writes “In the Catholic tradition, death is conceptualized as the separation of the soul from the body.” The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults notes “death is the natural and inevitable end of life on earth.” The Catechism continues to observe “The reality of death and its finality give an urgency to our lives.” This urgency is related to the theological truth that, as the Catechism teaches us, “each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment.”
Therefore, preparing for death, and the judgment of God which will follow, is the task of a lifetime. This task involves growth in holiness through years of life, which leads the soul to love and desire God more and more. As this desire grows, so does the holy soul want to please God in everything, as it comes to prefer God over earthly attachments. Though current prevailing thought suggests to us that at death all, regardless of how they have lived their lives, immediately enter heaven, the teaching of Christ and the Church clearly show us that this is not so. Rather, Scripture and tradition assert that faith, moral uprightness, lived charity and reception of the sacraments best prepare us for our eternal end. The Catechism of The Catholic Church reminds us, by quoting St. John of the Cross “At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love.”
As we begin an exploration of basic Catholic teaching on death and burial practice, it is fitting that we consider how Catholics should respond to the nearness of death in their personal lives. A recent terminal diagnosis, failing health or advanced age are all circumstances in which Catholics might become significantly aware of the nearness of death for them. In this awareness, Catholics are challenged to respond prayerfully and gracefully. But what should this response look like?
The Catechism of The Catholic Church defines the sacraments of the Church as “efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us through the work of the Holy Spirit.” Two sacraments in particular are especially relevant to a Catholic in danger of death, namely penance and anointing of the sick. The “divine life” that these two sacraments provide us are reconciliation with God through forgiveness of our sins and healing. As we prepare to meet God at life’s end, confession and absolution prepare us to do so in a state of grace. The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults explains that the sacrament of the sick has the effect that “[if] it be God’s will, the person [is] physically healed of the illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the sacrament is spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness.” Importantly, the Catechism goes on to note that through the sacrament of the sick, “a sick person’s sins are forgiven if he or she was not able to go to confession prior to the sacrament of anointing of the sick.”
The holy Eucharist is a third relevant sacrament related to preparation for death. Not only is it received as viaticum for the dying but is the sustenance of the soul which is essential for spiritual health. The sick should receive it frequently so the grace of the Eucharist may strengthen them in their sufferings.
As a Catholic faces the nearness of death, he or she may begin a serious examination of conscience under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This examination, which involves reflection upon one’s life and one’s sins and omissions, may also include relevant questions such as: What is my relationship with God like? What are my priorities? Have I been away from the Church and practice of the faith? Who in my life am I called to reconcile with? How do I live charity and how am I called to become more charitable? To whom do I need to show gratitude? Have I expressed clearly to family members my final wishes concerning funeral preparations? Have I contacted my parish to inform them of my need for the sacraments? Making arrangements for one’s funeral ahead of time is indeed an action of charity shown towards family members and loved ones who will be left behind. This is considered charitable for several reasons. The first is that such prearrangements make crystal clear to loved ones the wishes of the deceased. These wishes should include explicit mention of the need for a funeral Mass and burial, as well as a wake as preferred. The clarity of these instructions prevent confusion on behalf of loved ones seeking to best remember and honor the life of the deceased. A second reason prearrangements are charitable is that they make it easier for grieving loved ones whose sorrow is made more difficult if they must plan everything unexpectedly.
In some instances, Catholics soon facing death are unable to contact their parish or make other needed arrangements due to the severity of their illness or disability. In these cases, family members or those legally responsible may make the needed arrangements for them.
These important responsibilities should be carried out promptly, in charity, and in consideration of the fact that time is running short. In the present situation of the local Church, where priests have increased responsibilities and may have to care for several parishes, it is advisable that when a Catholic first learns of serious illness or faces death’s imminence, he or she should not delay in making an appointment with a priest.
Personal prayer, in addition to regular reception of the Eucharist, as it is possible, will continue to be helpful to Catholics as they face the end of their lives. Loved ones may also pray with the sick or otherwise infirm person, encouraging them in faith and showing them affection. Reading Scripture passages, praying the rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet and listening to comforting Christian music are all ways loved ones can assist sick and dying persons to prepare to eventually meet the Lord at life’s end. Visits to the sick, especially by people who are significant in their lives, also help those facing death experience love and concern. Through this concern, the sick know God himself is with them, accompanying them towards eternity.
As we conclude, The Order of Christian Funerals shares some wisdom concerning death that helps us all to prepare for it positively. In the general introduction, the authors state “In the face of death, the Church confidently proclaims that God has created each person for eternal life and that Jesus, the Son of God, by his death and resurrection, has broken the chains of sin and death that bound humanity.” The introduction continues to teach, “At the death of a Christian, whose life was begun at baptism and strengthened at the eucharistic table, the Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased because of its confident belief that death is not the end nor does it break the bonds that were forged in life.” It is in this hope, then, that the Church approaches preparation for death. Rather than preparing for personal annihilation at death, the faithful Christian awaits, with longing, final resurrection of the dead, reunion with loved ones who have gone before him and complete fulfillment in God’s eternal embrace. It is this hope for eternal life with God, the angels and saints, that enables believers to know peace amid the great sufferings that often precede death.
In honor of the Church’s long tradition of having special recourse to St. Joseph’s intercession for the dying, we include in this article a Prayer to St. Joseph for a happy death: “O Blessed Joseph, who died in the arms of Jesus and Mary, obtain for me, I beseech you, the grace of a happy death. In that hour of dread and anguish, assist me by your presence and protect me by your power, against the enemies of my salvation. Into your sacred hands, living and dying, Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I commend my soul. Amen.”