extreme unction
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A sacrament of the Roman Catholic Church: A religious rite in which a priest anoints a seriously ill or dying person with consecrated oil and offers prayers for the person's spiritual and physical well-being, and for the forgiveness of sins. It is one of the seven sacraments, traditionally administered when a person is in danger of death.
Usage
- Extreme unction is administered to provide spiritual strength and comfort.
- The family requested a priest to administer extreme unction to their grandfather.
- In modern Catholic teaching, the sacrament is often referred to as the "Anointing of the Sick."
Examples
- The priest performed the rite of extreme unction at the patient's bedside.
- Receiving extreme unction brought her great peace in her final hours.
- Historically, extreme unction was reserved for those at the point of death.
Advanced Usage
- Theological Context: The sacrament is seen as completing the process of spiritual healing that begins with the sacrament of Penance, preparing the soul for the journey to eternal life.
- Liturgical Elements: The rite involves specific prayers, the laying on of hands, and anointing the forehead and hands of the sick person with oil blessed by a bishop.
Variants and Related Words
- Anointing of the Sick (n): The term now more commonly used in the Catholic Church for this sacrament, emphasizing its purpose for all who are seriously ill, not only those (at the point of death).
- Last Rites (n): A term often used interchangeably with extreme unction, though technically it can refer to a combination of sacraments given at the end of life: Penance (Confession), Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction), and Viaticum (final reception of the Eucharist).
- Sacrament (n): A religious ceremony or act regarded as an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual grace.
Synonyms
- Last Anointing
- Final Anointing
Notes on Meaning
While "extreme unction" is the traditional name, its usage has declined in favor of "Anointing of the Sick." This change reflects a shift in emphasis from being solely a preparation for death to a sacrament of healing and strengthening for anyone suffering from serious illness or the frailty of old age. The word "extreme" in this context means "final" or "last."
Noun
- a Catholic sacrament; a priest anoints a dying person with oil and prays for salvation