Hi, I have a question. I'm not catholic or religious at all, but my girlfriend told me she was blessed by the pope like 7 times in her lifetime. (She's 17). How significant is this to a catholic?
2006-08-30 14:59:41 · 11 answers · asked by flickster42490 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Considering the fact that the pope is the God appointed leader of the universal church, and the one who is given the authority to distribute the graces that were obtained by the meritorious work of Jesus Christ, the apostles, and all the saints, a papal blessing is extremely significant.
I expect that you'll receive responses from Protestants who say a papal blessing is inconsequential, or even wrong. Ignore them.
The facts are the facts ... and the fact is, the pope is God's chief representative on earth, the legitimate successor of St. Peter the apostle, who was sworn in as pope by Jesus Christ himself.
Since we still have a pope today, just as we always have, history itself proves the truth of the papacy.
The pope was given his authority directly by Jesus Christ. The office of pope was God's idea. The hierarchical nature of the church, with the pope and the bishops as the chief shepherds, was also God's idea.
Finally, Jesus Christ gave the pope and the bishops the power to bind and loose (to make church policy and to change it) both on earth, and in heaven.
In light of that sweeping and God-given supernatural authority, a blessing from the pope is virtually the same as a blessing from God, himself.
Also, considering the fact that the number seven generally indicates spiritual completeness, your girlfriend has been truly and completely blessed.
A papal blessing is powerful and beneficial to both believers and non-believers. Believers are simply able to make the most of it.
Please be certain to pass this information along to your girlfriend, and give her my best wishes.
God bless you, too.
2006-08-30 15:27:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes, catholics have a thing about being "blessed" and having their pets and objects "blessed" by priests, cardinals and the pope- and if the pope did it , then to them it might as well have been Jesus himself- though I think for many (NOT all) Jesus is just a baby in a manger and an ineffectual image on a cross, the pope and Mary often wind up having higher priority than anything else. Holding the pope, who is just a man, fallible as any, in such a high regard, is idolotry. It is no different than meeting your favorite movie or pop star and 'never washing your hand again because he touched it!"
Unfortunately to many Catholics, this is the best thing , most spiritual experience, etc etc that can happen, in reality, it means nothing except you met someone that not a whole lot of people , comparatively , get to meet. the pope can bestow no greater blessing on a person than any other man. Every good and perfect gift comes from God.- and it doesn't have to come from an man, it is just as likely , possibly more so, to come from a nameless nobody on the street as from the pope himself.
2006-08-30 22:11:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The blessing comes from God.
If she was "blessed by the Pope", she was either directly given a blessing by the pope or she was included on list for the Pope to bless say during the mass.
Catholics believe that the Pope is "Christ on earth", he lead God's earthly organization, Holy Mother Church
Everyone can bless; however, priestly blessing have always been considered special. You will see this in the Christian bible.
Frankly, the number of times one received has little to do with the way they live.
My reaction is that your girl friend needs to grow up and wait for Jesus return, just like the rest of us.
2006-08-30 22:13:19 · answer #3 · answered by J. 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm heading down a Christain path but all religions are valid with me if they don't hurt people, but anyway,being blessed by the Pope means a lot to people and should be taken in highest regard.I would dig it....and then I'd become famous.Did the Pope whack her in the forehead or sprinkle holy water on her foot(by the way...water is already Holy to begin with because it was made supernaturally by some Creator of the Universe) or how did this come about?And 7 times?Wow.I respect the Pope but why has'nt he blessed me?I'm jealous.7 times?Marry that girl....she's got it going on.
2006-08-30 22:43:13 · answer #4 · answered by unmovingasp 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm not sure, but it doesn't make much sense to me that a pope could bless anyone. He's only human after all. And I don't understand how he could bless someone unless they were there, in his presence. Has she seen the pope 7 times? I just don't understand catholicism and things like this make no sense to me.
2006-08-30 22:06:08 · answer #5 · answered by married_so_leave_me_alone1999 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A blessing from the Pope is a cruse from the Creator.
Obadhawk
2006-08-30 22:10:27 · answer #6 · answered by yechetzqyah 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
very significant, to us the pope is the authority of Jesus christ on earth, he is the leader of our religion on earth. If you have been bless by the pope, you have received a special blessing. Best of Luck!
2006-08-30 22:05:37 · answer #7 · answered by maury3222 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
For a real Catholic, this is very important. Not because the Holy Father as a man is special, but because of what he represents to Catholics, which is the Vicar of Christ on earth. We see the Holy Father as the successor to St Peter, so his blessing is Apostolic for us. My wife and I are traveling to Rome in November for a Papal audience.
2006-08-30 22:15:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
It is significant, in the sense that she has experienced human contact with the Pope, and it is an honor. There is no "magic" power involved, if that's what you mean.
2006-08-30 22:05:46 · answer #9 · answered by mia2kl2002 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Receiving a Papal Blessing is **VERY** significant!!!
It is a Gift From God Himself.
2006-08-30 22:09:37 · answer #10 · answered by clusium1971 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋