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Papal Blessings
Obtaining a Papal Blessing, or Benediction Papalis, can be a thoughtful and meaningful way to commemorate a special occasion. It is a blessing from the Holy Father to honor important events in the life of a follower of the Catholic Church.
While the Pope’s blessing itself is impossible to see, the Papal Blessing can be immortalized on a special document issued by the Office of Papal Charities.
Requests for Papal Blessings (certificate or parchment) are to be made directly to the Office of Papal Charities at the Holy See in Rome.
This website will give you further instructions, including an order form.
Recommendations and advice:- As in the past, papal blessings are reserved for baptized Catholics in good standing. Deceased persons, animals, or inanimate objects will not be granted a blessing.
- A signed and dated letter of recommendation from your pastor can also suffice for any required nihil obstat or ecclesiastical approval.
- A simple printed certificate OR a more elaborate parchment with calligraphy are both available. Please specify your preference on the website’s order form (a space for this is mistakenly omitted from the order form).
- The blessing is free, but the Office for Papal Charities will request a donation, which will be given to a charity serving the poor. The donation will vary according to the document requested, and can range from $35 US to $75 US; it will be requested upon delivery.
For further questions or comments, please contact the Office of Canonical Services at the Diocese of Bismarck at 701-204-7203 or 1-877-405-7435, ext. 118.