Friedrich Lochner

Last Unction

From Festivals and Customs in the Lutheran and Catholic Church.

Return to the Lochner overview

Chapter Text

Last Unction

has been instituted in the Catholic Church since the twelfth century as a sacrament to be administered to the mortally ill. The priest prays, then lays his hands on him, anoints him with the holy oil on the five senses, on the eyes, ears, mouth, hands, and feet, and exhorts the sick person to gratitude for the grace he has received. Small children and excommunicates are not capable of the same.
The Lutheran Church does not know the last rites. Luther swept it out as Roman leaven and papal abomination.