MY CATHOLIC RELATIVE DIED WITHOUT THE LAST SACRAMENTS. COULD HE STILL BE SAVED? YES.

IS THERE STILL HOPE TO BE SAVED FOR A CATHOLIC WHO DIED WITHOUT THE LAST SACRAMENTS? YES.

CSFH MEME. PHOTO CREDIT TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNER

In the best of circumstances, a dying Catholic, and/or his relatives should call a priest to administer to him the Anointing of the Sick after Confession, the Viaticum, and grant him the Apostolic Pardon, which has a plenary indulgence attached to it. As the Manual of Indulgences (1999, 4th ed., English translation published on 2006 by USCCB)

“§1 A priest who administers the sacraments to someone in danger of death should not fail to impart the apostolic blessing to which a plenary indulgence is attached. (Concession n. 12)

Nevertheless, if a priest is not available due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. accidents, sudden death, suicide…), one must not lose hope regarding the salvation of our deceased relative. Why? Because we are taught to make an act of perfect contrition and this could obtain pardon from one’s sins in an extraordinary way (Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1452). But above all, because God, in His Infinite Goodness, Love, and Mercy, has foreseen this circumstance, and has granted to His Church the power to dispense the treasures of His Love and Mercy

The Manual of Indulgences (4th ed. English translation published on 2006 by USCCB) reminds us of the following grant:

“12. AT THE POINT OF DEATH

“§2 If a priest is unavailable, Holy Mother Church benevolently grants to the Christian faithful, who are duly disposed, a plenary indulgence to be acquired at the point of death, provided they have been in the habit of reciting some prayers during their lifetime; in such a case, the Church supplies for the three conditions ordinarily required for a plenary indulgence.

§3 In this latter case, the use of a crucifix or a cross in obtaining the plenary indulgence is commendable.

§4 The faithful can obtain this plenary indulgence at the hour of death, even if they have already acquired a plenary indulgence on that same day.

§5 The catechetical instruction of the faithful should ensure that they are duly made aware and frequently reminded of this salutary benefaction of the Church.“

Dear brethren in Christ, as to the question whether there is still hope of salvation in the case of a Catholic who died without having received the last sacraments, the answer is a RESOUNDING YES!

Let us all be GRATEFUL TO GOD ALMIGHTY for his untiring love and bountiful mercy, and also Our Holy Mother Church, the dispenser of the infinite merits acquired by the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us also amend our ways, living a life according to God’s will and fostering the habit of prayer and frequent reception of the Sacraments.

This we ask the Father through Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever, with the help of Our Mother Mary, Mother of the Church and our mother, Refuge of sinners and Gate of heaven. Amen.

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