Reading Vistabel's post reminds me of a scenario I had experienced several months ago. A patient of ours , who was dying of CHF (Congestive heart failure) was on hospice care and had been dying for quite some time. As I was checking on this patient, i noticed that he was surrounded by his family. As i took a step back , i couldn't help but overhear the conversation by the family members.
Apparently, the patient had been , for quite some time -- a good percentage of his life actually, a non practicing member of the Roman Catholic Church. However, the patient had requested to see a Catholic chaplain. Minutes later, the chaplain came to the room to visit the dying patient. He was given his last rights (Extreme Unction). The patient , after recieving the sacrament of the eucharist, said the following words, "
Sacred Heart of Jesus, receive my soul, i want to be with you." That was the patient's last words. He passed away 5 minutes later.
This man died in peace. Despite not being active in the church for a long time, the Church was there for him in his death, and gladly offered him blessings before his passage into eternity. Through the Church, by the richness and fullness of Jesus Christ, this man was welcomed back into the fold. By being forgiven of all his sins prior to his death, his soul left this world void of mortal and venial sin. He went to Heaven and saw the Face of God.
You see, the responsibility of priests is invaluable. Theirs is the work of salvation....
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