Could an apostolic blessing get you straight into heaven? Does this sound too good to be true?

In this compelling episode of The Patrick Madrid Show, Javier from Miami shared the touching story of his mother-in-law, who, while in the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease and in hospice care, received the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick along with the Apostolic Blessing from a priest. This experience was particularly moving for Javier’s wife, who understood the significance of these rites – essentially a direct path to Heaven, which her mother seemingly took as she passed away shortly thereafter.

Patrick Madrid then delved into explaining the Apostolic Pardon (or Apostolic Blessing). This indulgence, usually granted during the last rites, takes away all temporal punishment due to sin, assuming the recipient is truly repentant and in a state of grace. It’s a powerful act of mercy, reflecting the belief that while Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for sin, the temporal effects still require atonement. This pardon offers spiritual comfort, suggesting the recipient may bypass Purgatory and enter Heaven directly.

Another listener, Mike from Pittsburgh, brought up a point about this pardon. He mentioned a situation with a Nigerian priest who seemed hesitant to grant the Apostolic Pardon to his brother-in-law, who was not unconscious. Patrick encouraged persistence in requesting this rite, clarifying that the condition of the recipient (conscious or not) should not be a barrier.

Fr. Tim from Maryland shared his experiences as a hospital chaplain, particularly regarding the Anointing of the Sick. He described his approach to administering Viaticum (Holy Communion) to unconscious patients, a practice he found deeply meaningful.

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