A reader asked an interesting question: Can we produce a list of Feast Days on which the Church grants Plenary Indulgences? We’re more than happy to oblige, especially when the end result is making the Church’s treasury of graces available to more people.[Comments? Please e-mail tridnews@stjosaphatchurch.org. Previous columns are available at www.stjosaphatchurch.org. This edition of Tridentine Community News, with minor editions, is from the St. Josaphat bulletin insert for October 2, 2011. Hat tip to A.B.]
The following information and quotes are taken from the currently-in-force book of guidelines, the 2006 Manual of Indulgences available from www.usccbpublishing.org. All of these statements are prefaced by text such as “A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who...”
Octave Day of Christmas, a.k.a. Feast of the Circumcision (January 1): “Devoutly assist either at the recitation or solemn singing of the Veni Creátor...to implore divine assistance for the course of the whole year.”
Fridays of Lent: “Devoutly recite after Communion the prayer En ego, O bone et dulcíssime Jesu before a crucifix.”
Holy Thursday: “Piously recite the verses of the Tantum ergo after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday during the solemn reposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament.”
Good Friday: “Devoutly assist at the adoration of the Cross in the solemn liturgical action of Good Friday.”
Easter Vigil: “At the celebration of the Easter Vigil...renew their baptismal vows in any legitimately approved formula.”
Divine Mercy Sunday, a.k.a. Low Sunday: “In any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for a sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g.: ‘Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!’).”
Pentecost Sunday: “Devoutly assist either at the recitation or solemn singing of the Veni Creátor.”
Corpus Christi: “Devoutly participate in a solemn Eucharistic procession, held inside or outside of a church.”
Feast of the Sacred Heart: “Publicly recite the act of reparation (Jesu dulcíssime).”
Ss. Peter & Paul (June 29): Two plenary indulgences are possible, though not on the same day:Portiuncula Indulgence (August 2): “Visit...a minor basilica, the cathedral church, [or] a parish church...and there devoutly recite an Our Father and Creed.”
- “Make prayerful use of an article of devotion, as defined by Norm 15, that has been blessed by the Supreme Pontiff or by any bishop, provided the faithful also make a Profession of Faith using any legitimate formula.” Norm 15 identifies these as a crucifix or cross, rosary, scapular, or medal.
- “Visit...a minor basilica [or] the cathedral church...and there devoutly recite an Our Father and Creed.”
Feast of Christ the King (Last Sunday in October): “Publicly recite the act of dedication of the human race to Christ the King (Jesu dulcíssime, Redémptor).”
All Souls Day (November 2): “Devoutly visit a church or an oratory and recite an Our Father and the Creed.” This plenary indulgence is applicable only to the dead.
Dedication of the Archbasilica of Our Savior (November 9): “Visit...the cathedral church...and there devoutly recite an Our Father and Creed.”
Seventh Day Within the Octave of the Nativity (December 31): “Devoutly assist either at the recitation or solemn singing of the Te Deum...to offer thanks to God for gifts received throughout the course of the entire year.”
Feast of the Titular of the place: “Visit...a minor basilica; the cathedral church; an international, national, or diocesan shrine established by competent authority; [or] a parish church...and there devoutly recite an Our Father and Creed.”
Feast of the Founder: “Visit...a church or an oratory of institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life.”
Some general terms: ”In order to be capable of gaining indulgences one must be baptized, not excommunicated, and in the state of grace at least at the completion of the prescribed works. To gain an indulgence, one must have at least the general intention of doing so and must carry out the enjoined works at the stated time and in due fashion, according to the sense of the grant.” In practical terms, one should first be aware of the possibility that an indulgence can be earned so that one can desire to gain it. We will strive to mention any relevant Indulgences in the Latin/English Propers Handouts for each of the above Feasts, and to include Latin and English texts of any associated prayers. The usual conditions apply: Prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions, Confession within 20 days, reception of Holy Communion, and freedom from attachment to sin.
Certain Feasts may be moved to a Sunday in the Extraordinary Form. The rules for Indulgences anticipate this possibility: “If a liturgical celebration or its external solemnity is lawfully transferred, it is understood that an indulgence attached to that liturgical celebration is likewise transferred to the same day.”
Tridentine Masses This Coming Week
Mon. 10/03 7:00 PM: Low Mass at St. Josaphat (St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Virgin)
Tue. 10/04 7:00 PM: Low Mass at Assumption-Windsor (St. Francis, Confessor)
Fri. 10/07 7:00 PM: High Mass at St. Josaphat (Our Lady of the Rosary)
Addendum:
As to the source of the information in this post, the author writes: "All the information in [this] column was taken from the 2006 Manual of Indulgences.
I verified that Plenary Indulgences are gainable up to 20 days from the day of Confession in this column. Prior to this, there was speculation that it was eight days, but the Manual of Indulgences does not specify a number of days.
There is also a marvelous book, which I have been tempted to buy at the only store where I have seen it ... London’s St. Paul’s Bookstore by Westminster Cathedral ... by [Prof.] Edward Peters [of Sacred Heart Major Seminary, in Detroit]: A Modern Guide to Indulgences.
4 comments:
Saturday, I will be completing this Novena and I think it is a great one for those of us Christian Catholic men who have grown weary of timorous and temporising Priests and Prelates. Saint Michael is a real Warrior Prince and following him into battle is a bracing act for men, whose nature it is to be warriors.
PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the fearful warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come thou to the assistance of men, whom Almighty God created immortal, making them in His own image and likeness and redeeming them at a great price from the tyranny of Satan. Fight this day the battle of the Lord with thy legions of holy Angels, even as of old thou didst fight against Lucifer, the leader of the proud spirits and all his rebel angels, who were powerless to stand against thee, neither was their place found any more in Heaven. And that apostate angel, transformed into an angel of darkness who still creeps about the earth to encompass our ruin, was cast headlong into the abyss together with his followers. But behold, that first enemy of mankind, and a murderer from the beginning, has regained his confidence. Changing himself into an angel of light, he goes about with the whole multitude of the wicked spirits to invade the earth and blot out the Name of God and His Christ, to plunder, to slay and to consign to eternal damnation the souls that have been destined for a crown of everlasting life. This wicked serpent, like an unclean torrent, pours into men of depraved minds and corrupt hearts the poison of his malice, the spirt of lying, impiety and blasphemy, and the deadly breath of impurity and every form of vice and iniquity. These crafty enemies of mankind have filled to overflowing with gall and wormwood the Church, which is the Bride of the Lamb without spot; they have laid profane hands upon her most sacred treasures. Make haste, therefore, O invincible Prince, to help the people of God against the inroads of the lost spirits and grant us the victory. Amen.
* "The faithful who recite devoutly some prayers in honor of St. Michael the Archangel at any season of the year, with the intention of continuing the said prayers for nine consecutive days, may gain:
An indulgence of 5 years once each day:
A plenary indulgence, on the usual conditions, at the end of their novena.
What a magnificent prayer! The first part of it reminds me of the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel that is included in the Leonine minor exorcism prayer, which is also magnificent and martial in tone.
Kind regards, -- PP
Dr. Blosser, I think you are aware that in the calendar associated with the OF the Feast of Christ the King is celebrated on the last Sunday of the liturgical year (the Sunday before the First Sunday of Advent).
It is still a great summary. May we be more aware of these opportunities.
Ron Rolling,
The author of the post writes:
"I put the EF/OF calendar differences in the same boat as the External Solemnity rule, which was mentioned in the column. The indulgence is associated with the celebration of the Feast. If the Feast is moved, the indulgence can be moved with it. In this case, whether the Feast of Christ the King is the last Sunday of the liturgical year (OF) or the last Sunday in October (EF), either day can earn the indulgence.
"The question that remains is, can the indulgence for Christ the King be obtained twice within one Church year by someone who attends both the OF and EF celebrations? I would think the answer is yes, because the Church does not seek to restrict very much. Perhaps Dr. Peters can answer this question. It’s one of many Canon and Liturgical Law questions that should be addressed as the EF regains prominence."
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