download in PDF format). - Saint Josemaria Escriva

Year of Faith
Year of Faith indulgences
The Holy Father recommends the faithful to gain plenary indulgences in remission of the temporal
punishment for their sins, imparted through God’s mercy and applicable in suffrage to the souls of
the deceased, during the Year of Faith (from 11 October 2012 to 24 November 2013)
What does the word “Indulgence” mean?
The Latin word indulgeo means “be indulgent” and also “grant”. An indulgence, then, is something
kindly granted to us for our benefit.
What does the Catholic Church say about indulgences?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church offers a more precise definition: “An indulgence is a remission
before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which
the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the
action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the
treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1471)
What is forgiven by an indulgence?
Indulgences do not forgive sins, since the ordinary means for the faithful to receive forgiveness of
their sins from God is the Sacrament of Reconciliation (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, no.
1486). But according to Catholic teaching, sin brings a double consequence: both “eternal
punishment” and “temporal punishment”.
What is eternal punishment?
Eternal punishment is being deprived of communion with God. Those who commit mortal sins lose
friendship with God, and, if they do not repent and do not receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation,
they deprive themselves forever of union with God. But although the forgiveness of sins received in
the Sacrament of Penance brings remission of eternal punishment, what is known as “temporal
punishment” still remains.
What is temporal punishment?
Temporal punishment is the suffering involved in being purified of the disorder introduced into man
by sin. This punishment has to be endured either in this life or in the next (in Purgatory), so that
faithful Christians may be freed from the traces left by sin in their lives.
Who grants indulgences?
An indulgence is a free pardon of this temporal punishment. The Church does not produce
indulgences, but mediates God’s forgiveness; both the forgiveness of sins and the remission of the
temporal punishment brought by sin. Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Church acts as
mediator of Christ the Lord, who says to the penitent: “I absolve you from your sins.”
By granting indulgences, the Church distributes among the faithful the effective medicine of the
merits of Christ our Lord, offered for mankind. And this precious treasure of the merits of Christ also
includes, through God’s power and by his Will, the good deeds of the Blessed Virgin and the Saints,
who pour out their care on man, wounded by sin, so that we may recover from the marks left by our
wounds.
What conditions are needed to gain indulgences?
True repentance, sacramental Confession within the fortnight, sacramental Communion on the day,
and prayer for the Pope’s intentions (normally the Our Father and the Creed).
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Year of Faith
When can the Year of Faith indulgence be gained?
a) When a member of the faithful attends three lectures or homilies on the Second Vatican Council
or the Articles of the Creed
b) When a member of the faithful goes in pilgrimage to a Papal Basilica, Catacomb, Cathedral, or
sacred place designated by the diocesan Bishop and there participates in a sacred celebration, or
spends some time in meditation and devout prayer
c) On the days appointed by the diocesan Bishop
d) On a day freely chosen to visit the place where one was baptized or received into the Catholic
Church, and renew one’s Baptismal promises.
Decree of the Prelate of Opus Dei
The Prelate of Opus Dei has duly issued a decree specifying ways of gaining a Plenary Indulgence
during the Year of Faith.
a) By going on pilgrimage to the Prelatic Church of Our Lady of Peace in Rome, take part there in a
sacred ceremony, or spend time in prayer, finishing with the Our Father, the Creed and the
invocation of Our Blessed Lady and Saint Josemaria.
b) On the following days, by taking part in a solemn Eucharistic celebration and saying the Creed:
25-11-2012 Christ the King
28-11-2012 Establishment of Opus Dei as a Personal Prelature
30-11-2012 Saint Andrew, Apostle
8-12-2012 Immaculate Conception
25-12-2012 The Nativity of the Lord
27-12-2012 St John the Evangelist
1-01-2013 Our Lady, Mother of God
6-01-2013 The Epiphany of the Lord
14-02-2013 The founding of the women’s branch of Opus Dei and of the Priestly Society of the
Holy Cross
19-03-2013 St Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
31-03-2013 The Resurrection of the Lord
8-04-2013 The Annunciation of the Lord
20-04-2013 Election and appointment of the Prelate of Opus Dei
2-05-2013 Dedication of the Prelatic Church in Rome
3-05-2013 Sts Philip and James, Apostles
12-05-2013 The Ascension of the Lord
14-05-2013 St Mathias, Apostle
19-05-2013 Pentecost
26-05-2013 The Blessed Trinity
2-06-2013 The Sacred Body and Blood of the Lord
7-06-2013 The Sacred Heart of Jesus
11-06-2013 St Barnabas, Apostle
26-06-2013 St Josemaria
29-06-2013 Sts Peter and Paul, Apostles
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Year of Faith
16-07-2013 Our Lady of Mount Carmel
25-07-2013 St James, Apostle
15-08-2013 The Assumption of our Lady
24-08-2013 St Bartholomew, Apostle
14-09-2013 The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
21-09-2013 St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
29-09-2013 Sts Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels
2-10-2013 The Holy Guardian Angels. Anniversary of the founding of Opus Dei
28-10-2013 Sts Simon and Jude, Apostles
24-11-2013 Christ the King
c) By receiving the Blessing with Plenary Indulgence to be imparted by the Prelate at the solemn
celebration of the feast of St Josemaria, June 26, 2013.
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