Papal blessings/Travel to Rome

jenjlgsings

Have (or do any of you) plan to travel to the Vatican after your wedding for the special Papal blessing?  I recently found out this is an option and am very excited about the possibility.  I'm curious if others have experience with it or are thinking about it and how you made your arrangements (i.e. did you make your own travel arrangements to Rome, did you work with an agent, etc).

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_papal-blessingstravel-to-rome?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:fdc0371e-ab87-4516-87ad-3761956d6614Post:570caad0-20e9-4ee4-b994-a0a82df59f96">Papal blessings/Travel to Rome</a>:
[QUOTE]Have (or do any of you) plan to travel to the Vatican after your wedding for the special Papal blessing?  I recently found out this is an option and am very excited about the possibility.  I'm curious if others have experience with it or are thinking about it and how you made your arrangements (i.e. did you make your own travel arrangements to Rome, did you work with an agent, etc).
Posted by jenjlgsings[/QUOTE]

Maybe some of the other ladies here can help clarify, but I did not think you needed to travel to the Vatican to get a Papal Blessing. My FIL requested one for us either though his parrish or online. He didn't even need a copy of our marriage license. It came in the mail, personalized with our names, wedding date and the Church we were married at. FIL had it framed for us and we have it hanging in our bedroom.

Hi to all. I haven't been around in some time, but thought I would join in on this one. Hope everyone is well!

agapecarrie

Newly wedded couples can have a special audience with the pope-- they can wear their dresses/tuxes and receive a personal blessing from him.

ootmother2

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_papal-blessingstravel-to-rome?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:fdc0371e-ab87-4516-87ad-3761956d6614Post:5eaec445-8d2f-46b0-a3e2-e221d59971be">Re: Papal blessings/Travel to Rome</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Papal blessings/Travel to Rome : Maybe some of the other ladies here can help clarify, but I did not think you needed to travel to the Vatican to get a Papal Blessing. My FIL requested one for us either though his parrish or online. He didn't even need a copy of our marriage license. It came in the mail, personalized with our names, wedding date and the Church we were married at. FIL had it framed for us and we have it hanging in our bedroom. Hi to all. I haven't been around in some time, but thought I would join in on this one. Hope everyone is well!
Posted by schlagetermari[/QUOTE]

You can buy a "Papal blessing" certificate from vendors just outside the Vatican. And no, they're not real;)

Your pastor can probably obtain a real one as he probably knows the channels better

[Deleted User]

OOT I promise you ours is not one of the fake ones you speak of. I'm sure there are plenty of vendors that exploit the Vatican though.

monkeysip

OP,

FI and I are planning to do this.

We want to honeymoon in Italy and spend some time in Rome.  I've already spent a couple weeks in Rome, so I'm confident enough to book our travel by myself, not use a travel agent. 

Santa Susanna used to provide these tickets, but they now have this message on their website:

"REGARDING NEWLYWED AUDIENCE TICKETS, please note that were informed today (November 8, 2011), that we will no longer be given Sposi Novelli (newlywed) tickets to distribute for the Papal Audiences. If you would like these tickets, you will need to apply directly to the Prefect of the Papal Household, fax number (011)39.06.6988.5863, and then pick them up yourselves at the Bronze Doors to the right of St. Peter’s Basilica. Please remember, however, that to receive these tickets you need to have been married in a Catholic Church eight weeks or less on the day of the audience, and you will need to prove this with an authentic Church marriage certificate. We are very sad and sorry that we are no longer able to assist newlywed couples in obtaining these tickets."

So, fax the prefect for the tickets and pick them up when you get to Rome. 

Maybe someone here can enlighten me (and others) as to when you get a Church marriage certificate?  Is that something the church can give you before you leave the honeymoon?  I've been wondering that.

christyhal

I don't know anything about travel to Rome, but our priest gave us our church marriage certificate immediately following our wedding.  He then mailed the legal one to the marriage license office.  It was the legal certified copies that we had to wait for.

monkeysip

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_papal-blessingstravel-to-rome?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:fdc0371e-ab87-4516-87ad-3761956d6614Post:5a6609d2-a230-4525-8a23-9e95f833683d">Re: Papal blessings/Travel to Rome</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't know anything about travel to Rome, but our priest gave us our church marriage certificate immediately following our wedding.  He then mailed the legal one to the marriage license office.  It was the legal certified copies that we had to wait for.
Posted by christyhal[/QUOTE]

That makes sense!  Thanks!

professorscience

Monkey, I think it depends on the state.  In Texas, they have to mail the real one off to be filed, and ours was back in about two weeks (we got married on Nov. 5, the license is stamped as filed on Nov. 11).  The church gave us a copy of the license because, as they said, "Sometimes you get free stuff when you tell them you're honeymooning."

newlyseliski

I'd talk to your priest or diocesan office as well... they may be able to help expedite the process of signing up for a papal audience.  My old roommate and her husband honeymooned in Italy and attended a papal audience with some other newlyweds (February 2011).  I believe her husband did the legwork on honeymoon planning, getting the tickets and other details, so I can't speak to what the appropriate process is for that... their priest had spent time studying in Rome, so was able to help out.

As for a papal blessing paper copy, I believe you can request an official one through your diocese and have it sent to you.  Our diocese allowed brides and grooms to request one within 6 months of the wedding date and had a person in the Marriage and Family Life office that handled those requests.  Two couples that I know requested and received official papal blessings in this form... my sister and her husband had theirs read as part of their nuptial blessing during Mass.

jenjlgsings

Since my post I had been directed to the Bishops' Office for United States Visitors to the Vatican.  This is the information I received from them:
 Newlywed couples (sposi novelli) who would like to attend a Wednesday audience of the Holy Father may sit in the reparto speciale section at the Audience.  To qualify, couples must be married within 2 months of the audience they wish to attend, carrying with them a copy of the Sacramental Marriage Certificate signed by their priest, and wearing their wedding attire.  The Holy Father will bless you for a happy wedded life when he gives his general blessing at the conclusion of the Papal audience.   After the audience, the couple is invited to the Bronze Door to receive rosaries blessed by the Holy Father. Before the tickets can be requested please send us the following information.  You can reply in this email if you would like to: 1) Full name of Groom2) Full name of Bride 3) Date of marriage4) Name and location of the church5) Name of the priest presiding at the wedding6) Date of the Wednesday Papal audience you wish to attend Once we have made the request, we expect to have your 2 biglietti (ticket invitations) available for you here at Via dell’Umiltà 30 on the Tuesday afternoon before the Papal audience between 3-7pm. Via Dell’Umiltà, 30, is very near to the Trevi Fountain.  From the Trevi Fountain, facing it, look to the left and you will see the store “Paul & Shark”.  Take the street to the left of the store, called Via Delle Muratte.  Then, take the first left (after “Blue Ice”) onto Via Delle Vergini (the street sign is difficult to see).  Follow Via Delle Vergini until you see the street Via Dell’Umiltà.  Take a left onto Via Dell’Umiltà.  On your right you will shortly see a large door with an arch over it, # 30 (not 30a or 30b).  There is a plaque that says “The Pontifical North American College”.  That is our office!  

They provided this information about the written Papal blessings:

Those who would like a written papal blessing from the Holy Father may ask for this from the Vatican. The Vatican Blessing Office (Elemosineria) prepares a parchment with the names of those to be blessed.  This parchment is signed and sealed by the Almsgiver of His Holiness (the one who receives alms for the Holy Father’s charities). A pastor (or arch/diocese) should write the request on his own parish (or arch/diocesan) stationery with the name(s), and occasion.  Typically, there is a donation of $40 to cover the cost of the calligraphy, document, and mailing.  A check may be written to the: Elemosineria Apostolica 00120 Vatican City The full address is:S.E. Mons. Felix del Blanco PrietoElemosiniera Apostolica di Sua Santità00120 Vatican City (EU)Telephone 011.3906.6988.3133Fax 011.3906.6988.3132papal.blessings@elemos.va They can do a beautiful document (including shipping and handling) for $40.  Kindly remember to send the pastor’s letter and a check to the Elemosineria Apostolica for the parchment document, which can be air mailed to the recipient. 
   

jenjlgsings

Oh, and back to my origianl post, anyone that has traveld to Rome do  you have any recommendations for either travel agents or hotels, etc? 

shawna127

This is such a great idea! I am so glad I found this board, I've been a catholic my whole life and I have learned so much from this board! )

ootmother2

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_papal-blessingstravel-to-rome?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:fdc0371e-ab87-4516-87ad-3761956d6614Post:880e788b-cc34-4f86-8d7b-b378abf98e97">Re: Papal blessings/Travel to Rome</a>:
[QUOTE]Oh, and back to my origianl post, anyone that has traveld to Rome do  you have any recommendations for either travel agents or hotels, etc?  :)
Posted by jenjlgsings[/QUOTE]


We have used Italiatour several times.  They offer a basic package and you can upgrade or change hotels/trains/sightseeing according to your own taste.  Get a Frommer' s for Italy and research, they really do have great recommendations fo everything, including restaurants.  Great bang for the buck advice.

One time we actually got a gondola in Venice for $75!  I doubt that has happened since the sixties