The Pope’s Apostolic Blessing is one of the most significant gifts for the faithful, as it bears witness to the closeness of the Holy Father and the Catholic Church during an important moment in one’s spiritual life. Furthermore, the donation associated with the parchment is used by the Office of Papal Charities for works of charity.
Among the occasions for which it is possible to request an Apostolic Blessing (find out which ones in this article), one of the most heartfelt concerns the Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate, a fundamental step for those who choose to dedicate their lives to the service of the Church and the community.
What is the Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate?
The Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate is a rite of the Catholic Church that confers the first degree of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The deacon is called to serve the Christian community through preaching, charity, the proclamation of the Gospel, and collaboration with the bishop and priests.
The rite includes essential moments, such as:
- Presentation of the candidate
- Promise of obedience
- Litany of the Saints
Followed by the sacramental gestures:
- Laying on of hands
- Consecratory prayer
The whole concludes with the explanatory rites, such as the Vesting, the handing over of the Book of the Gospels, and the kiss of peace.
How to request the Blessing
Therefore, if you have decided to gift your friend or relative who has been named a new Permanent Deacon an Apostolic Blessing from the Pope, you can contact the Office of Papal Charities.
In person: One of the ways to request the Holy Father’s Blessing and the related parchment is quite simple. In fact, you just need to go to the offices of the Office of Papal Charities in the Vatican (at the Sant’Anna Gate) during the scheduled opening hours: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM (from Monday to Saturday).
Online: If visiting in person is difficult, no problem! The Office of Papal Charities has created a dedicated website, which, through a guided procedure, will make everything easier.
By Mail or Fax: If you prefer to use traditional methods, you can submit the request for the Pope’s Apostolic Blessing for a Permanent Deacon Ordination (here is the form) containing the necessary details:
- Full Name of the requester;
- Full Name of the recipient of the Blessing;
- Reason for the request;
- Date, Name of the Church, and Location where the Sacrament took place;
- Address to which the diploma should be sent and the relevant payment amount.
All of this must be forwarded to:
Elemosineria ApostolicaUfficio Pergamene00120 Vatican City
Or to the Telefax number (active 24/7): (+39) 06.69883132
Costs
Receiving the Pope’s Apostolic Blessing is a practice that requires a certain sum of money. This amount will be used by the Office of Papal Charities to perform charitable acts. The cost is divided as follows:
- parchment (from 13 to 25 euros depending on the chosen model);
- shipping costs: 7 euros for regular mail / 13 euros if shipped via express courier (DHL).
The donation should be sent exclusively after receiving the parchment, and can be made via credit/debit card or through a postal payment slip (attached to the shipment).
If you are interested in further details regarding the Holy Father’s Blessing or want to discover more about Saints and Religious Events, we invite you to follow us on our website and our social media profiles.
