Apostolic Blessing at the Hour of Death

[benedictgal]

As for everyone needing purgatory: this is how I look at it. Given our fallen and frail human nature, it’s impossible for anyone to die in a state of absolute, complete, literally perfect Grace. All human beings die with some imperfections, even the most saintly ones are not truly perfect, so everyone (who’s going to heaven!) needs some purgation, even if that means just the most miniscule “amount.”
As for the truly great saints, well, perhaps they spent the equivalent of .001 nanoseconds in purgatory. That’s what I’m getting at, to say that no human being can die in a perfect state. Maybe even someone who dies at the very moment when baptism is complete still comits some microscopic venial sin at the moment of death. I’m just trying to say “no one’s perfect.”

(Now, you’ll want me to define “no one” and “perfect” right? Just kidding!)

Fr. David, how about the martyrs? I am thinking of Blessed Miguel Pro, SJ, who imparted the Apostolic Blesssing (or something similar) to those in th prison cell with him just before he was led away to his martyrdom. I thought that martyrs would be spared purgatory since they made the ultimate sacrifice.

In Blessed Miguel’s case, both he and one of his brothers were martyred. I believe that he also imparted the Apostolic blessing at the house just prior to his arrest.

 

[FrDavid96]

Fr. David, how about the martyrs? I am thinking of Blessed Miguel Pro, SJ, who imparted the Apostolic Blesssing (or something similar) to those in th prison cell with him just before he was led away to his martyrdom. I thought that martyrs would be spared purgatory since they made the ultimate sacrifice.

In Blessed Miguel’s case, both he and one of his brothers were martyred. I believe that he also imparted the Apostolic blessing at the house just prior to his arrest.

Well, I’m not denying that as such. That’s what I meant about the miniscule fraction of a microsecond of purgation (for lack of any better way to put it). I’m not trying to deny what happens to the martyrs, I’m trying to avoid saying that anyone can be absolutely perfect.

 

[benedictgal]

Well, I’m not denying that as such. That’s what I meant about the miniscule fraction of a microsecond of purgation (for lack of any better way to put it). I’m not trying to deny what happens to the martyrs, I’m trying to avoid saying that anyone can be absolutely perfect.

Oh no, please don’t think that I thought that. I was only thinking about Blessed Miguel Pro, as my parochial vicar (pastor’s on vacation) tied him in with the Feast of Christ the King since November 23rd was Blessed Miguel’s actual feast day.

I read in his biography that he had imparted the Apostolic Blessing to the men in the cell with him just before he was led to the firing squad. He even blessed the soldiers who shot him and told them that he forgave them (I don’t think he gave that group the Apostolic Blessing, though). I belive that his brother Humberto was killed right before he was. His other brother, Roberto, was released but sent into exile.

 

[Walking_Home]

Just so I can be clear on this —the Apostolic Blessing needs to be requested – it is not automatically given as part of last rites?

 

[FrDavid96]

Just so I can be clear on this —the Apostolic Blessing needs to be requested – it is not automatically given as part of last rites?

It’s a part of the Last Rites (when they are done in their entirety).

Confession
Apostolic Blessing/Pardon
Extreme Unction
Viaticum
(in an emergency, Viaticum comes first then Unction)

It doesn’t need to be requested in order to be given, and in fact it can and should be done even if the person is not conscious. It should always be offered to the dying (unless they’re excommunicated or unrepentant), so the direct answer is that it should be “automatic”. However, if it’s known that the priest isn’t in the habit of doing it, then requesting it would be in order.

 

[Walking_Home]

It’s a part of the Last Rites (when they are done in their entirety).

Confession
Apostolic Blessing/Pardon
Extreme Unction
Viaticum
(in an emergency, Viaticum comes first then Unction)

It doesn’t need to be requested in order to be given, and in fact it can and should be done even if the person is not conscious. It should always be offered to the dying (unless they’re excommunicated or unrepentant), so the direct answer is that it should be “automatic”. However, if it’s known that the priest isn’t in the habit of doing it, then requesting it would be in order.

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Seem the best course of action is to request the Apostolic Blessing—just to make sure the Blessing is included.