According to a decree made public today and signed by Cardinal Manuel Monteiro de
Castro and Bishop Krzysztof Nykiel, respectively penitentiary major and regent of
the Apostolic Penitentiary, Benedict XVI will grant faithful Plenary Indulgence for
the occasion of the Year of Faith. The indulgence will be valid from the opening of
the Year on 11 October 2012 until its end on 24 November 2013.
"The day of
the fiftieth anniversary of the solemn opening of Vatican Council II", the text reads,
"the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI has decreed the beginning of a Year especially dedicated
to the profession of the true faith and its correct interpretation, through the reading
of - or better still the pious meditation upon - the Acts of the Council and the articles
of the Catechism of the Catholic Church".
"Since the primary objective is to
develop sanctity of life to the highest degree possible on this earth, and thus to
attain the most sublime level of pureness of soul, immense benefit may be derived
from the great gift of Indulgences which, by virtue of the power conferred upon her
by Christ, the Church offers to everyone who, following the due norms, undertakes
the special prescripts to obtain them".
"During the Year of Faith, which will
last from 11 October 2012 to 24 November 2013, Plenary Indulgence for the temporal
punishment of sins, imparted by the mercy of God and applicable also to the souls
of deceased faithful, may be obtained by all faithful who, truly penitent, take Sacramental
Confession and the Eucharist and pray in accordance with the intentions of the Supreme
Pontiff.
"(A) Each time they attend at least three sermons during the Holy
Missions, or at least three lessons on the Acts of the Council or the articles of
the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in church or any other suitable location.
"(B)
Each time they visit, in the course of a pilgrimage, a papal basilica, a Christian
catacomb, a cathedral church or a holy site designated by the local ordinary for the
Year of Faith (for example, minor basilicas and shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin
Mary, the Holy Apostles or patron saints), and there participate in a sacred celebration,
or at least remain for a congruous period of time in prayer and pious meditation,
concluding with the recitation of the Our Father, the Profession of Faith in any legitimate
form, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary and, depending on the circumstances,
to the Holy Apostles and patron saints.
"(C) Each time that, on the days designated
by the local ordinary for the Year of Faith, ... in any sacred place, they participate
in a solemn celebration of the Eucharist or the Liturgy of the Hours, adding thereto
the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form.
"(D) On any day they chose,
during the Year of Faith, if they make a pious visit to the baptistery, or other place
in which they received the Sacrament of Baptism, and there renew their baptismal promises
in any legitimate form.
"Diocesan or eparchal bishops, and those who enjoy
the same status in law, on the most appropriate day during that period or on the occasion
of the main celebrations, ... may impart the papal blessing with the Plenary Indulgence".
The
document concludes by recalling how faithful who, due to illness or other legitimate
cause, are unable to leave their place of adobe, may still obtain Plenary Indulgence
"if, united in spirit and thought with other faithful, and especially at the times
when the words of the Supreme Pontiff and diocesan bishops are transmitted by television
or radio, they recite ... the Our Father, the Profession of Faith in any legitimate
form, and other prayers that concord with the objectives of the Year of Faith, offering
up the suffering and discomfort of their lives". (VIS)