Agonizantn.

1670 S. Wilson Lassels's Voy. Italy (new ed.) ii. 19 The Fathers of the Agonizants, whose vocation is, to be the Seconds of those who feight against death in self; that is, whose profession is, to assist those that are in the agonie of death.

1688 J. Harrington Some Refl. Pietas Romana & Parisiensis 10 The Oratorians are not the only men, that visit the sick; nor are there wanting The Fathers of the Agonizants in England.

1733 tr. Ceremonies & Relig. Customs Var. Nations I. 395 The Order of the preaching Friars, and of the Agonizants, assembled together in the Basilica of the Vatican.

1867 J. M'Clintock & J. Strong Cycl. Biblical, Theol., & Eccl. Lit. I. 104/1 Agonizants..a society of Roman Catholic penitents at Rome (and elsewhere, as at Lima in South America), whose chief duty is that of prayer for persons condemned to death by the law... Another confraternity under the same name assist at death-beds generally.

1910 N. Gallizier Court of Lucifer ii. xi. 266 He had been attended by the Pontiff's own physicians, an ancient lady, nurse to Donna Lucrezia, and a nun of the Agonizants, whose charitable dedication it was to attend the sick and console the dying.

1991 K. P. Luria Territories of Grace i. 40 Grenoble had the greatest array [of religious organizations]: in addition to its three penitent associations, it had the Agonisants, [etc.].