I went back and actually read the one for sale for $650. From the post, he is the second owner so I guess these date to early 1900's unless it was installed later:
"The mental hospital it came from was built in 1904 along the banks of the Thames River. The population started to dwindle in the 1970's and finally closed it's doors permanently in 1996 due to a push to deinstitutionalize the patients. At that time the state had a huge 3 day auction and sold off as much as they could in that small amount of time and that is how I got this gem and know where it was from. "
EDT: I keep forgetting to mention (in case you are not Catholic otherwise you probably know). The candles are probably for when there is consecrated Eucharist present as it is customary to have a lit candle
More interesting stuff (I'm learning lots about my own church).
http://www.traditionalcatholic.net/Tradition/Information/Explanation_Sacraments.html I know Last Rites was discontinued a while back. The preist wouldn't administer to my Gma which made us
How is holy communion given to the sick? A bell is first rung, then the Sacred Host is borne in procession to the house of the sick person, placed upon a table prepared for it, a prayer is said, and the place and those present are sprinkled with holy water. The priest then gives communion the same as in the church, except wheu the sick person receives it as viaticum; at such times the priest presents the cousecrated Host, saying: "Brother (or, sister), receive as a holy viaticum the body of Our Lord Jesus Christ; may it protect thee from the evil spirit, and lead thee to eternal life. Amen."
When the communion is not given as viaticum, the priest repeats the same formula as is used in the church. The table on which the consecrated Host is placed must be covered with a clean white cloth, a cross, two lighted wax candles, and a vessel with holy water must also be provided. In this country the Blessed Sacrament is, of necessity, carried privately, with all out-door ceremonies omitted.
Why is the holy communion sometimes called Viaticum? Because it is given to the sick person as food and sustenance for the last dangerous road to eternity.
