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What is a Papal Blessing?

The Apostolic Blessing or papal blessing is a blessing imparted by the Pope, either directly or by delegation through others. All requests must now be submitted directly to the Office of Papal Charities online from their website HERE or in person at their offices in the Vatican.

Official Request Form for Elemosineria Apostolica - Office of Papal Charities

For more information or to complete the online procedure CLICK HERE. The contribution is paid by credit card (only VISA and MasterCard). Please note the following:

• Parchments range from 19 to 27 Euros ($21.36 to $30.35) according to the template chosen.
• DHL Express Courier costs 22 Euros ($24.73) to mail parchments to the United States.

For example, the total cost would be between $46 to $55.

After subtracting the costs of preparing and posting the parchment, all proceeds are applied entirely to the works of charity undertaken daily in the name of the Pope by the Office of Papal Charities, in service of the poor.

Circumstances and Occasions for which Papal Blessing Parchments are Granted

• Baptism, First Holy Communion, Confirmation
• Marriage
• Priestly Ordination
• Religious Profession
• Ordination of Permanent Deacons
• Anniversary (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80 years) of Marriage*, Priestly Ordination, Religious Profession
• Birthday (18, 30, 40, 50, 55, 60, 65,70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100 years)*

* For anniversaries and birthdays, the person ordering the parchment is asked to make a “declaration of eligibility” (in other words, that the persons for whom the Blessing is intended are both Catholic and practicing), expressed simply by a short declaration, by one’s own responsibility, agreeing to the necessary conditions.

This improved process is more streamlined and eliminates the need for the diocese to coordinate the exchange of documents and payment. Questions can be directed to Brendan Porick, Administrative Assistant to the Vicar General at (808) 585-3347 or Email.

(Last updated on July 17, 2023)