I have a framed apostolic blessing and plenary indulgence from 1953 (I think it's Pope Pius XII). It has a small picture of the old pontiff and hand-done calligraphy and beautiful decoration. It has a raised seal that looks like two crossed swords below something (I haven't taken it out of the frame). The name on it is "Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Riley". Below the calligraphy message are a couple lines written longhand and a signature. I bought it because I LOVE decorated manuscripts and the like. I have a couple questions. I am really curious about this beautiful document. If it would help, I can post a pic of it somewhere. 1) How did the Corneliuses get this? Did they go to the Vatican and meet Pius? Who signed it? 2) Should it be in a museum? Does the Vatican want these things back? 3) Does anyone know what would be written at the bottom? This is OLD longhand and hard for me to decipher. It is in Latin and looks like "SSuruis domninucus bernigne annuit precibus" The next line looks like a person's title or office. It looks like "Ese Aud. Vatic. div I 8017 artii 1953". Then the signature tB. (or Ho., Hs., Hb.) Vareiui (basically I can read Ve**i**i). Thanks

-- PP (oldgods@yahoo.com), October 20, 2003

Answers

Did you see my post

-- Steven (Steven@schneider.net), October 21, 2003.

Steven: no, I did not see your post. Please put it up again. To anon: Why should I throw it out just because they "don't exist anymore"? This piece of paper exists, and it's lovely. I have no palns to destroy it, I just wanted to know more about it.

-- PP (oldgods@yahoo.com), October 21, 2003.

It is still possible to obtain a plenary indulgence, just as it always was. But that doesn't address your questions.

Papal or Apostolic blessings can be obtained quite easily, and a certificate such as you described can be obtained by mail. My wife and I have one, obtained in 1968. They are quite common, not something that merits museum display. Unless of course the one you have has unusual artistic value for some reason. Therefore, while Mr and Mrs Cornelius may have gone to the Vatican and/or met the Pope, that is not the usual way of obtaining such a document. The Vatican certainly does not want such things back. It is for the private use of the couple who obtained it.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), October 21, 2003.