Papal Blessing Problems

I need to vent. I went to my parish to get a papal blessing. I had all of the information from the Archdiocesse about how to order with me. The deacon tells me he can order it for us directly, hands me a catalog and tells me to pick one out. I select one and ask how much it is. He tells me that it shouldn't be more than $50. Fine. We went away on vacation and he ordered it while we were away. He calls me today and tells me I owe him a check for$135!!!! How much did everyone else pay? I thought the standard charge was $40.

Now I'm furious because it's more than double than what I thought, the priest who married us (who I've known for over 10 years) messed up our entire ceremony, we were quoted the wrong prices for the musicians. It never ends. The sad thing is that I've been attending services here since I was a little kid. Sorry I just needed to vent.

Re: Papal Blessing Problems

It shouldn't cost you anything, I thought..!

Re: Papal Blessing Problems

Papal Blessings do vary in price according to which one you pick out. Some are much more expensive than others.

You should have seen in the catalog what the price was, or the deacon should have a separate sheet with the prices on it that correspond to the catalog number. He did you a disservice by telling you one thing when he really doesn't know what he is talking about.

When I worked in the church, we (the parish secretaries) were the ones to handle the Papal Blessings since we had to fill out all the paperwork and forms anyway, not the priests or deacons.

I'm sorry that you were mislead!

Re: Papal Blessing Problems

We asked our priest about it and he told us he'd take care of it - I never dreamed it was something the church charged for! I was expecting a small card and was thrilled when our priest presented us with a beautiful illuminated scroll about 10 x 14. He's got some connections at the Vatican so maybe he pulled some strings, but now I'm wondering if he covered the cost himself. He's a great guy and DH has known him for several years so maybe he did.....

Re: Papal Blessing Problems

Ok...I feel lost and ashamed...I was raised Catholic and attended Catholic grammer, high school and college and I don't know what a Papal Blessing is?

Re: Papal Blessing Problems

MrsTC - It's a piece of paper or parchment that comes with a blessing from the Pope on it for whatever special occasion you want it for. A wedding, special anniversary, special birthday, graduation. . . . .

Re: Papal Blessing Problems

Isn't that sort of similar to selling indulgences?