Case 1. The Apostolic Blessing

Caius, a missionary priest, was called to a dying member of the Third Order of St. Francis who, after receiving the sacraments, asked that, according to the privilege granted to Tertiaries, the Apostolic Blessing with a plenary indulgence at the moment of death be given to him. Caius indeed granted it according to the approved formula and, so that the dying man might be more secure, immediately gave him the apostolic blessing according to the Ritual. When another priest heard these things, he rebuked him, saying that a plenary indulgence at the moment of death can be gained only once, and that it is better to give the apostolic blessing when the dying man is at the point of dying, lest by sinning afterwards he incur penalties to be discharged. Hence it is asked:

1. Can the apostolic blessing with a plenary indulgence at the moment of death be given several times to a dying person?

2. Must the actual moment of death be awaited for this blessing to be given?

3. What is to be said of the case?

1. Can the apostolic blessing with a plenary indulgence be given several times to a person in danger of death?

No, it can only be given once while the person is in the same danger of death either by different priests or by the same priest on different titles.¹

1 Ojetti, Synopsis Rer. Moral., s.v. Indulgentia.

2. Is the moment of death to be waited for in order that the blessing may be given?

No, the apostolic blessing may be given as soon as the recipient is in danger of death and capable of receiving the sacrament of Extreme Unction. The blessing only takes its effect in the true moment of death, and in the meantime its effect is suspended.²

2 Génicot, vol. ii, n. 410.

3. The case, Caius did right to accede to the pious wish of the dying tertiary, and give him the papal blessing to which he had a right. He did wrong to repeat it immediately after according to the form in the Ritual. The Sacred Congregation of Indulgences has several times answered that the blessing may be given only once. On the other hand the second priest was wrong in saying that the papal blessing should be given when the recipient is actually dying; it takes its effect at that time if it were validly given and received, but it may be given as soon as the recipient is in danger of death, as was said above.