F
felsguy
Guest
After all, what is the priest supposed to say “…by the power given to me by the Apostolic See, which as we all know has been vacant and occupied by a usurper for 50 years…”
.
- Status
.
P
petronus
Guest
When our priest visited my mother on the day before she died , he brought the Eucharist but she was unable to receive it . She was unconscious .
He then gave her the Sacrament of Reconciliation , assuming that she may have been able to hear , followed by the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick .
Finally he blessed her with the Eucharist , and as he did so he said : " By the authority granted me through the Apostolic Succession I grant you a plenary Indulgence . "
He then gave her the Sacrament of Reconciliation , assuming that she may have been able to hear , followed by the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick .
Finally he blessed her with the Eucharist , and as he did so he said : " By the authority granted me through the Apostolic Succession I grant you a plenary Indulgence . "
T
twf
Guest
My understanding of purgatory was that while temporal punishment is a part of it, it is also simply as a result of the practical reality that most of us, upon dying, are simply not yet ready for heaven - in terms of the degree of sanctification (conformance to Christ) we have undergone. Even with a plenary indulgence, it is more than the Church simply granting it - the individual must have no attachment to sin - a most difficult feat that only a holy person who has already likely spent many years living a life of prayer, fasting, and good works is likely to achive by the help of God’s grace. With the apostolic pardon, is one guarenteed complete remission of all temporal penalties even if one’s contrition was imperfect and one is still attached to various sins (though contrite in some sense)? If so - why doesn’t the Church ensure that everyone receives such an amazing gift - and why would the mechanics of it be so different from that of regular indulgences?
F
FrDavid96
Guest
Excellent points.
I think you’ve already answered your own question in the first part of your post.
Just like the seven Sacraments, the Apostolic Pardon (which draws its efficacy from the Power of the Keys but is not itself a Sacrament) is not something magical—let us all keep in mind what you just wrote above.
We say our prayers. We celebrate the Sacraments. In the end, it’s all in the hands of a loving, merciful, and just God.
The Church does try to ensure that everyone receives it.
The reason why the mechanics of it are so different from a regular indulgence is that it’s intended for special circumstances (meaning, one-time at the end of life). Other “regular” indulgences are always available. For special circumstances, we have a special indulgence.
Y
YoungTradCath
Guest
Also, you can get the “effects” of the Apostolic Pardon any time you want: plenary indulgence. AFAIK the AP is just a kind, a special kind, of plenary indulgence. The AP is just a subset of PI. The AP doesn’t really “do” anything that any other PI doesn’t. All plenary indulgences remit all temporal punishment.
D
dans0622
Guest
Pope Benedict XIV issued a Constitution called Pia Mater, in 1747, on this particular blessing. I don’t know what the history of it was up until that time but in that document it is obvious that the practice was well-established but rather restricted in its application. The purpose of the document was to make it easier for bishops to obtain and also delegate the ability to grant this blessing. I will put a link here, with the hope that it will work and take any interested reader to a translation of this document. You may have to click on the link to page 229. books.google.com/books?id=fs4WAQAAIAAJ&dq=benedict+XIV+pia+mater&q=pia+mater#v=snippet&q=pia%20mater&f=false
I think the comment of “YoungTradCath” is correct: this plenary indulgence is like any other and, in fact, can now be gained even *without *the “apostolic blessing” of a priest (which, I think, was new with Paul VI’s “Indulgentiarum doctrina” norm 18–see here: vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-vi_apc_19670101_indulgentiarum-doctrina_en.html ). In the latest edition of the “Handbook of Indulgences,” it is #12 of the “other grants.” Here’s the Latin: vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_doc_20020826_enchiridion-indulgentiarum_lt.html
I’m not sure about the possibility of an “irregular” (whatever that might mean in particular circumstances) Catholic priest being able to impart the blessing. I think he could, since he can do something greater in offering absolution and remission of any censure. The Handbook of Indulgences says the priest who offers the Sacraments in danger of death situations should not omit the blessing. That command suggests that whoever the priest may be has the ability to impart the blessing. I’d generally be very “liberal” in this regard, since the Church has become more and more liberal as far as who has the authority to grant the blessing: moving from the Pope… and delegated prelates, who were only delegated for a certain period of time… to the Pope and prelates who, once delegated, were always able to do it as well as delegate others… to all priests who assist the dying, as stated in the 1917 Code, c. 468.2… to the current norm referred to above, telling priests to give the blessing. I would consider SSPX priests to be able to do it but as you get into the muck and mire of admitted schism or sedevacantism, I’m even less certain.
I also would note that I have seen writings of priests in 19th century America lamenting the general ignorance of the faithful (priests included, I suppose) in regard to this blessing. So, that’s nothing new.
Dan
I think the comment of “YoungTradCath” is correct: this plenary indulgence is like any other and, in fact, can now be gained even *without *the “apostolic blessing” of a priest (which, I think, was new with Paul VI’s “Indulgentiarum doctrina” norm 18–see here: vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-vi_apc_19670101_indulgentiarum-doctrina_en.html ). In the latest edition of the “Handbook of Indulgences,” it is #12 of the “other grants.” Here’s the Latin: vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_trib_appen_doc_20020826_enchiridion-indulgentiarum_lt.html
I’m not sure about the possibility of an “irregular” (whatever that might mean in particular circumstances) Catholic priest being able to impart the blessing. I think he could, since he can do something greater in offering absolution and remission of any censure. The Handbook of Indulgences says the priest who offers the Sacraments in danger of death situations should not omit the blessing. That command suggests that whoever the priest may be has the ability to impart the blessing. I’d generally be very “liberal” in this regard, since the Church has become more and more liberal as far as who has the authority to grant the blessing: moving from the Pope… and delegated prelates, who were only delegated for a certain period of time… to the Pope and prelates who, once delegated, were always able to do it as well as delegate others… to all priests who assist the dying, as stated in the 1917 Code, c. 468.2… to the current norm referred to above, telling priests to give the blessing. I would consider SSPX priests to be able to do it but as you get into the muck and mire of admitted schism or sedevacantism, I’m even less certain.
I also would note that I have seen writings of priests in 19th century America lamenting the general ignorance of the faithful (priests included, I suppose) in regard to this blessing. So, that’s nothing new.
Dan
T
TiggerS
Guest
Thank you very much for all responses. 
L
Lormar
Guest
Father, when you find out, please let me know. Thank you!
- Status