Communion of the Sick

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This differs from ordinary Communion as to the class ofpersons to whom it is administered, as to the dispositions with which it may be received, and as to the place and ceremonies of administration. In her anxious solicitude for the spiritual welfare of her children theChurch earnestly desires that those who are unable through illness to receive the Blessed Eucharist in the usual way at the altar, should not be deprived of the consolations of this sacrament, and, accordingly, she exhorts herpastors to satisfy always thepious desires, not only of all who are stricken with a dangerous sickness and require strength to prepare them for the final struggle, but also of those who may wish to comply with the paschal precept and cannot do so in church, and, in fine, of everyone who hungers after this life-giving bread even from mere devotion. When Communion is administered topersons in danger of death and likely to receive it for the last time it is called theViaticum. With this form of Communion there is no need to deal at present, as everything concerning it will be treated afterwards in its own place (seeVIATICUM). The present article is concerned with Communion which is given topersons in their own houses who, though not dangerously ill, yet are so physically indisposed that they cannot without very grave inconvenience go to church to receive in the ordinary way. In the first place, then, thepastor is bound to minister Communion in their homes to such as have to fulfil their paschalduty and cannot do so in church owing to illness. Thepastor'sobligation in the matter is not, of course, purely personal, and hence it can be discharged vicariously. Again he is bound, though not so strictly, to satisfy the reasonable desires of all sickpersons who are confined to their homes by infirmity of any kind and who wish to receive the Blessed Eucharist. TheRoman Ritual observes that thesepious wishes should be especially gratified on the occasion of a solemn festival or other celebration of the kind (Tit. IV, cap. iv).

Dispositions

The sick who desire to receive Communion out of mere devotion were hitherto bound to receive it before tasting any food or drink. Even those who had to fulfil their paschalduty and who could not fast up to a suitable hour in the morning would not be exempted from theobligation offasting, according to manytheologians. A recent Instruction of the Congregation of the Council,dated 7 December, 1906, has modified very considerably the regulations hitherto prevailing in regard to theobligation of observing the natural fast from the previous midnight, as far at least as the sick are concerned. In accordance with the provisions of this newdecree allpersons confined to their homes by reason of indisposition may be Communicated even though notfasting, provided (1) that they have been sick for a month; (2) that they have medical testimony as to their inability to fast; (3) that there is no certain hope of a speedy recovery; and (4) that only liquid food is taken. When these specified conditions are present Communion may be given once or twice a week to those who live in houses where Mass is celebrated daily, as inconvents, and once or twice a month to others not so placed. It is unnecessary to observe that the same dispositions ofsoul are required in the sick as in all otherpersons for the fruitful reception ofHoly Communion.

Ceremonies

TheRoman Ritual (Tit. IV, c. iv) prescribes, in detail, all the ceremonies to be observed when Communion is given to the sick. The manner of carrying theBlessed Sacrament and of administering it is accurately described. The Consecrated Species should be borne with all duehonour, reverence, and dignity, in solemn procession, with lights, and all the other customary formalities. This, however, is according to the general law of theChurch. Many countries, at the present day, in which this solemn and public conveyance of theBlessed Sacrament is not possible, have obtained anApostolic indult in virtue of which the Sacred Species may be carried privately and without any pomp or external ceremonial (Second Plen. Counc. of Balt., n. 264), but it must always be enclosed in a silver box orpyx, which should be securely fastened around theperson. Other cases of exception are also recognized (Ben. XIV, "Inter Unigenas"). Whilst carrying theBlessed Sacrament in this private manner, thepriest need not wear any sacred vestment, but in the actual administration he should wear at least a stole, soutane, andsurplice (cong. Of Rites, n. 2650). The sick chamber should be neatly and chastely arranged. Near the bed there ought to be a table covered with a white cloth, with a crucifix, two candles, small vessel of clean water,Holy Water and sprinkler, and communion-card. It only remains to say that the form used in giving Communion in private houses should be the usual one, theAccipe frater or soror, etc. being restricted to the administration of theViaticum.

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