Hello Father Angelo,
I would like to inquire with respect to the value of the Pope’s blessing through parchment. The occasion is a wish for a Catholic wedding but, given the high costs, I wanted to make sure that it is a different blessing than any other priest could give.
God bless you.
Maria
The priest’s answer
Dearest,
- blessing is not among sacraments, but among sacramentals.
Sacraments have an efficacy independent of the person who celebrates them. So, for example, the consecration performed by the Pope in the celebration of Mass or his absolution in the celebration of the sacrament of penance has no greater efficacy than that of the humblest priest of this world.
The reason is that in the sacraments the principal celebrant is Jesus Christ and both the Pope and the humblest priest are only ministers, channels.
That is why in theology it is said that the sacraments have efficacy ex opere operato.
- Blessings, on the other hand, being sacramentals, are the work of the Church and have efficacy ex opere operantis, that is, depending on holiness and also on the office performed within the Church.
- By virtue of this statement the blessing of a holy priest confers more than that given by a priest disgracefully in mortal sin, although even the latter always confers some effect because together with him is the whole Church that works.
- Now, undoubtedly, at least for the office he covers, the Pope’s blessing has a greater effect.
Jesus gave him the charge to shepherd the lambs and sheep, that is, the faithful and the shepherds .
For the person of Peter he also said, “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt, 16, 19).
He did not give this power to the apostles individually taken. He gave it only to Peter.
He gave it to the apostles only if they are all together, present Peter and under Peter: “ Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matt, 18, 18)
- In the Acts of the Apostles we read that all the Apostles performed miracles and signs, but Peter performed some that others did not.
Only of him we read that his shadow had the power to perform healings.
Here is the text, “Many signs and wonders were done among the people at the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s portico.None of the others dared to join them, but the people esteemed them.Yet more than ever, believers in the Lord, great numbers of men and women, were added to them.Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or another of them. A large number of people from the towns in the vicinity of Jerusalem also gathered, bringing the sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.
(Acts 5,12-16)
- I like to recall the testimony left behind by a Dominican nun when she received Pope John XXIII’s first blessing by radio as she looked out over the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Instantly she was freed from an illness that was tormenting her.
Undoubtedly the faith with which she received that blessing also cooperated. She had probably never heard of Cardinal Roncalli. She was eager to receive the Pope’s first blessing, whoever he was.
- St. Thomas says that the bishop’s blessing has the power to forgive venial sins. Much more power, evidently, has the blessing given by the one who is the bishop of bishops, the Pope.
Here are his verbatim words, “For the forgiveness of venial sin, as stated above, a new infusion of grace is not required, but it is sufficient to have an act proceeding from grace in detestation of that venial sin, either explicit or at least implicit, as when one is moved fervently to God.
Hence a pious practice can affect the remission of venial sins in three ways.
First, because grace is infused with it: for, as stated above, with the infusion of grace venial sins are erased. In this way venial sins are forgiven by the Eucharist, the Last Rites and all the sacraments of the new law.
Secondly, because such practices are accompanied by a movement of detestation of sins. And it is precisely in this way that the recitation of the Confiteor, the act of beating one’s breast, and the Lord’s Prayer are helpful in remitting venial sins: for in this prayer we ask, “Forgive us our trespasses.”
Thirdly, because such practices are linked to a movement of reverence for God and Divine things. And in this way affect the remission of sins, the episcopal blessing, the sprinkling of holy water, any sacramental anointing, praying in a dedicated church, and any other such practices” (Summa Theologica, III, 87, 3).
8. Finally, it should be mentioned that they are not particularly expensive because the blessing cannot be paid for.
However, one contributes a free offering because the parchment and shipping also have a cost.
Above all, one contributes to the charity of the Pope who provides all over the world in case of accidents or people in need.
Wishing you well, I bless you and remember you in prayer.
Father Angelo
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