“Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all.” (Luke 6:19)
When to call a priest to a sick or dying person
A priest is not called to a dead person, because the sacrament of the sick is administered only to the living. The reason for calling a priest is: the wish of the sick person; danger of death (agony, accident, sudden deterioration of health); the prospect of major surgery.
For the Last Rites to be administered, please contact the priest when your loved one is still able to communicate, so that the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist are possible. Please, do not wait till very last moment to call for the priest to provide your loved one with the sacrament.
How to prepare the sick person's room for the administration of the Holy Sacraments
If conditions allow, prepare a small table with a white cloth. A burning candle on the table with a cross would be wonderful to have. When a sick person has poor hearing, conditions should be provided for his or her free Confession.