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Apostolic blessing

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Apostolic blessing parchment

The apostolic blessing or papal blessing is a blessing imparted by the pope, either directly or by delegation through others. Bishops are empowered to grant it three times a year and any priest can do so for the dying.[1]

The apostolic blessing is not to be confused with an episcopal blessing, also known as a pontifical blessing, which bishops can impart at any time by their own authority.[1]

Personal imparting

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Pope Benedict XVI – in a General Audience

A particularly solemn form of imparting the apostolic blessing is as an Urbi et Orbi blessing.

The pope gives his blessing in many ways. He may use, with or without the introductory liturgical greeting, Dominus vobiscum, the formula of pontifical blessing that any other bishop may use. This was the formula used by Pope Paul VI (without Dominus vobiscum) when he gave his blessing at his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica following his election at the 1963 conclave,[2] and by Pope Benedict XVI (with "Dominus vobiscum") after announcing on 11 February 2013 his intention to resign the papacy,[3] and (without "Dominus vobiscum") at his farewell audience for the cardinals.[4] At a general audience, when the blessing immediately follows the singing of the Pater Noster, it is naturally given without "Dominus vobiscum".[5]

Delegated imparting

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Within his own diocese, a bishop may impart the apostolic blessing three times a year on solemn feasts. The same holds, within their territories, for non-bishop prelates (such as an apostolic prefect) recognized by canon law as juridically equivalent to diocesan bishops. In exceptional circumstances, they can impart it also on other occasions.[6][7] The blessing is imparted in place of the normal blessing at the end of Mass, using a particular formula.[8]

A plenary indulgence is granted to those who devoutly receive the papal blessing when imparted by the pope himself in the Urbi et Orbi form or by their own bishop in accordance with this authorization. It is granted also to those who are unable to be present at the rite itself and who instead follow it piously by radio, television, or the internet.[9][10]

Apostolic Nuncios also are delegated to impart the papal blessing in written form.[11]

The Church's ritual book on the Pastoral Care of the Sick[12] uses the term "Apostolic Pardon" for what elsewhere, for instance in the Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, is called the "Apostolic Blessing with attached plenary indulgence".[13] Priests are urged to impart it to the dying, but if a priest cannot be had, the Church grants a plenary indulgence, to be acquired at the moment of death, to any rightly disposed Christian who in life was accustomed to say some prayers, with the Church itself supplying the four conditions normally required for gaining a plenary indulgence (recent Sacramental Confession, reception of Holy Communion, prayers for the pope's intentions, and detachment from all sin).[14][15]

References

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  1. ^ a b Donald S. Armentrout, Robert Boak Slocum (editors), An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church (Church Publishing 2000 ISBN 978-0-89869211-2), p. 25
  2. ^ elezione Papa Paolo VI (1963) . YouTube. Accessed 10 September 2014.
  3. ^ Pope Benedict resignation speech: German Pope to step down due to old age and ill health on YouTube Accessed 10 September 2014.
  4. ^ Pope Benedict XVI Says Goodbye to Cardinals Amid Resignation- ABC News Special Report ABC News clip on YouTube. Accessed September 27, 2013
  5. ^ The final blessing Pope Benedict's last general audience YouTube. Accessed 10 September 2014
  6. ^ Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, "Normae", 7
  7. ^ Paul Minnehan, "Plenary indulgence granted for dedication of new cathedral" in The Catholic Voice, Oakland, California, 8 September 2008
  8. ^ Peter J. Elliott, Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite (Ignatius Press 2005 ISBN 978-0-89870830-1), 504
  9. ^ Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, "Aliae Concessiones", 4
  10. ^ John Tagliabue, "Vatican to allow indulgences by TV", New York Times, 19 December 1985
  11. ^ Apostolic Nunciature to Canada, "Procedure to Request an Apostolic Blessing"
  12. ^ Pastoral Care of the Sick, Rites of Anointing and Viaticum
  13. ^ Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, "Aliae concessiones", 12
  14. ^ McNamara, Edward (2013-10-15). "Indulgences at the Point of Death". Eternal Word Television Network. Archived from the original on 2019-05-19. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  15. ^ Ted, Heywood (2012-10-31). "Questions Answered". Homiletic & Pastoral Review. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
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