The Apostolic Pardon

Commonly referred to as the “apostolic pardon” or the “apostolic blessing,” the Church grants a special plenary indulgence to the dying.  And in her care and mercy for souls, if a priest is not available to administer this final blessing, deacons and even lay people can encourage the dying person to gain this special indulgence, available to all who are penitent and have prayed regularly in some way during their life..

Special Plenary Indulgence at the Approach of Death

Recently I was asked a question about the special “apostolic pardon” that a priest can impart to a person as death approaches.

What If A Priest Is Not Present?

“Priests who minister the sacraments to the Christian faithful who are in a life-and-death situation should not neglect to impart to them the apostolic blessing, with its attached indulgence. But if a priest cannot be present, holy mother Church lovingly grants such persons who are rightly disposed a plenary indulgence to be obtained in articulo mortis, at the approach of death, provided they regularly prayed in some way during their lifetime. The use of a crucifix or a cross is recommended in obtaining this plenary indulgence. In such a situation the three usual conditions required in order to gain a plenary indulgence [namely confession, communion, and prayer for the intentions of the pope] are substituted for by the condition “provided they regularly prayed in some way.” The Christian faithful can obtain the plenary indulgence mentioned here as death approaches (in articulo mortis) even if they had already obtained another plenary indulgence that same day.”

So not only priests, but deacons and lay people should know about this blessing and realize that they can help any Catholic who has prayed regularly in some way during their life, to receive this blessing even in the absence of a priest and the last sacraments (confession, anointing, viaticum]. Of course, all of the above would be ideal. But it is so wonderful to know that all of us can be of comfort and help someone obtain a plenary indulgence before death, regardless of the availability of a priest or whether or not the priest who gives a person last sacraments remembers to impart this plenary indulgence!