Definition and Purpose: 

The Last Sacrament is a sacrament practised in the Roman Catholic Church. It is believed that when a patient is nearing death, a priest administers the sacrament by anointing the person’s eyes, ears, nose, hands, and feet with oil. This ritual is performed to provide comfort, courage, and strength to the individual’s soul during this critical time. It is a religious ceremony involving the application of holy oil to those who are ill or suffering. Its primary purpose is to offer comfort, strength, and spiritual healing to the sick individual. 

Scriptural Basis: 

This practice finds its roots in biblical references, particularly in the New Testament, where Jesus and his disciples performed acts of healing and anointing. The Last Supper, a pivotal event in Christianity, serves as the cornerstone. As Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples, he established a sacred tradition, instructing them to partake in remembrance of him. This act of communion laid the foundation for the Last Sacrament, reinforcing the spiritual connection between the earthly and the heavenly realms

” Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent
Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.
10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the
house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room,
where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all
furnished. Make preparations there.”
13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have
eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it
finds fulfilment in the kingdom of God.”
17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I
will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for
you; do this in remembrance of me.”
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
which is poured out for you.21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.
22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began
to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
( Luke 22 : 7-23 )

“On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do
you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is
near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as
Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating,
he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”
23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of
Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be
better for him if he had not been born.”
25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”
Jesus answered, “You have said so.”
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to
his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of
you. 28 This is my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I
tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you
in my Father’s kingdom.”
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. “
( Matthew 26:17-30 )

The Apostles went out and anointed many sick people with oil, healing them. This highlights the early Christian tradition of using oil for healing purposes.

“They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.”
( Mark 6:13 )

Specific instructions for the practice of the Last Sacrament within the Christian community, state that if anyone is sick, they should call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. It further emphasises that the prayer of faith will save the sick person and the Lord will raise them. 

“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them
with oil in the name of the Lord.”
( James 5 : 14-15 )