Viaticum

Viaticum is the term the Roman Catholic Church uses for the Eucharist given to a dying person. It is thus not an eighth sacrament, but the Eucharist administered in special circumstances.

Related Topics:
Roman Catholic Church - Eucharist - Sacrament

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The Latin word viaticum, an adjectival form of the noun via, means "for a journey", and when used substantively means "provisions for a journey". The Eucharist is seen as the ideal food to strengthen a dying person for the journey from this world to life after death.

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If the dying person cannot take solid food, the Eucharist may be administered in the form not of bread, but of wine.

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The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is often administered immediately before.

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