Day 208: Completing the Earthly Pilgrimage

[J]ust as the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist form a unity called "the sacraments of Christian initiation," so too it can be said that Penance, the Anointing of the Sick, and the Eucharist as viaticum constitute at the end of Christian life "the sacraments that prepare for our heavenly homeland" or the sacraments that complete the earthly pilgrimage. CCC 1525

Today's reading from the Catechism discusses the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, Viaticum, and the end of our lives here on earth. The effects of the sacrament are outlined in this summary from the Catechism Compendium:

This sacrament confers a special grace which unites the sick person more intimately to the Passion of Christ for his good and for the good of all the Church. It gives comfort, peace, courage, and even the forgiveness of sins if the sick person is not able to make a confession. Sometimes, if it is the will of God, this sacrament even brings about the restoration of physical health. In any case, this Anointing prepares the sick person for the journey to the Father’s House. (#319)

 The Catechism Companion, Vol II has some good commentary on this:

In the Anointing of the Sick we pray not only for physical healing but also for deeper spiritual healing and forgiveness of sins. The sacrament enables us to join our suffering with Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world. Our suffering can be transformed into something meaningful through the power of Christ. We can offer our suffering for the well-being of the Church and recognize that we are not alone in our suffering. (p. 180)

Finally, the Catechism Compendium gives a summary of what is the final sacrament:

Viaticum is the Holy Eucharist received by those who are about to leave this earthly life and are preparing for the journey to eternal life. Communion in the body and blood of Christ who died and rose from the dead, received at the moment of passing from this world to the Father, is the seed of eternal life and the power of the resurrection. (#320)

I can imagine no greater blessing than to be surrounded by loved ones and leave this world with the Body and Blood of Christ (Jn 6:53-54). After receiving Holy Communion, it's off to greet the Father in the afterlife!

Administration of the (Eastern Orthodox) Eucharist to a dying woman (1839 painting by artist Alexey Venetsianov) 

The Church provides us with countless spiritual riches in preparation for death. This image shows one such gift, Viaticum, the Eucharist given as food for the journey (see CCC 1524). (p. 181)