Plenary Indulgence Offered for Year for Priests

(May 13, 2009) The Vatican is offering a plenary indulgence for all faithful on the occasion of the Year for Priests, which is set to begin June 19 and last one year. The decree was made public on Tuesday, 12^th May and signed by Cardinal James Francis Stafford and Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, respectively penitentiary major and regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary. The Year for Priests marks the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean Marie Vianney, also knows as the Curé de Ars. The decree noted that Pope Benedict XVI will preside at the opening liturgy June 19, the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and celebrate vespers before the relics of the saint in Rome. The Year will end with a special ceremony in St. Peter's Square. An indulgence is the full or partial remission of temporal punishment due for sins which have already been forgiven. The indulgence is granted by the church after the sinner has confessed and received absolution. Under the current norms, the priest has to celebrate Eucharist and pray for the intention of the Pope. For priests, the plenary indulgence can be gained by praying lauds or vespers before the Blessed Sacrament exposed to public adoration or in the tabernacle. The faithful may obtain a plenary indulgence on the opening and closing days of the Year for Priests by attending Mass in an oratory or Church and offer prayers to "Jesus Christ for Priests. The elderly, the sick, and all those unable to travel may obtain the plenary indulgence through prayer and offering their sickness and suffering to God having gone to confession and prayed for the intentions of the Pope.