Catholic Replies
Q. In a recent article, you quoted the Handbook of Indulgences as saying that if a priest cannot be present to impart an Apostolic Pardon at the hour of death, “Holy Mother Church lovingly grants such persons who are rightly disposed a plenary indulgence to be obtained in articulo mortis, at the approach of death, provided they regularly prayed in some way during their lifetime.” However, it is unclear what “triggers” the pardon. Do the persons request it themselves from God? Can someone else request it for them? — K.L, via-mail.A. The Handbook doesn’t comment about this, but we assume that the person approaching death, being “rightly disposed” in the sense of having sincere sorrow for any sins committed, could…Continue Reading