Holy Father to grant plenary indulgences for the Year of Priests

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Pope Benedict XVI / St. John Marie Vianney

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Special message of Pope Benedict XVI in English to the peoples of Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Territories, at the end of the General Audience. May 6th, 2009
Prayer for Priests

Vatican City, May 12, 2009 / 01:47 pm (CNA).- The Vatican has announced that during the Year for Priests, which will run June 19, 2009 – June 19, 2010, the Pope Benedict will grant plenary indulgences to priests and the faithful.

The year will begin with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, “a day of priestly sanctification,” according to a press release from the Vatican. On that day, the Holy Father “will celebrate Vespers before relics” of St. Jean Marie Vianney, patron saint of priests.

The Year will end in St. Peter's Square, in the presence of priests from all over the world "who will renew their faithfulness to Christ and their bonds of fraternity."

The means to obtain the indulgence are as follows:

(A) All truly penitent priests who, on any day, devotedly pray Lauds or Vespers before the Blessed Sacrament exposed to public adoration or in the tabernacle, and ... offer themselves with a ready and generous heart for the celebration of the Sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Penance, will be granted a Plenary Indulgence, which they can also apply to their deceased confreres, if in accordance with current norms they take Sacramental Confession and the Eucharist and pray in accordance with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff. Priests are furthermore granted a Partial Indulgence, also applicable to deceased confreres, every time they devotedly recite the prayers duly approved to lead a saintly life and to carry out the duties entrusted to them.

(B) All truly penitent Christian faithful who, in church or oratory, devotedly attend Holy Mass and offer prayers to Jesus Christ, supreme and eternal Priest, for the priests of the Church, or perform any good work to sanctify and mold them to His Heart, are granted a Plenary Indulgence, on the condition that they have expiated their sins through Sacramental Confession and prayed in accordance with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff. This may be done on the opening and closing days of the Year of Priests, on the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean Marie Vianney, on the first Thursday of the month, or on any other day established by the ordinaries of particular places for the good of the faithful.

The elderly, the sick and all those who for any legitimate reason are unable to leave their homes, may still obtain a plenary indulgence if, with the soul completely removed from attachment to any form of sin and with the intention of observing, as soon as they can, the usual three conditions, "on the days concerned, they pray for the sanctification of priests and offer their sickness and suffering to God through Mary, Queen of the Apostles."

Additionally, a partial indulgence will be offered to the faithful each time they pray five “Our Father,” “Hail Mary” and “Glory Be,” or any other duly approved prayer "in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to ask that priests maintain purity and sanctity of life."

Comments: 23

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Sal Di Fede
Miami/FL/USA 09/29/2009 12:36 PM EST

Thank you, Lindsay. See you!

Published by: BK
Abuja, nigeria 08/11/2009 08:15 AM EST

Thanks alot your Holiness for this plenary indulgences during the year of priest. This shows that the Church is has the salvation of all its members and all humanity as her top priority. Let us use these opportunity well

Published by: Sr M Ann
UK 06/20/2009 04:40 AM EST

Re: L DVor
Banning, Ca usa 12/05/2009 11:23 PM EST.

Please read the full text of the Decree, for it clearly states that the Plenary Indulgence may be gained by both, (A) priests and (B) the faithful (i.e. lay people), although different conditions apply. (It, however, presupposes the knowledge that Plenary Indulgences may be gained for both, the living and the deceased, as the person fulfilling the conditions desires.) For those members of the laity that missed yesterday's opportunity for gaining a Plenary Indulgence, there are many more available throughout the year, including the anniversary of the death of St John Marie Vianney on 4th August, and the first Thursday of the month. Note that the Plenary Indulgence may even be gained by the genuinely housebound.

Published by: al garner
Pgh. Pa. 05/15/2009 09:45 AM EST

My comment about satan having his hand on all priest was misunderstood. I meant to say that satin tries to attack those close to God. God knows there are many GOOD AND HOLY PRIESTS!
Yes we must pray hard for them!

Published by: Emerson
Minneapolis 05/14/2009 08:59 AM EST

Rate: Very Good

Amen to the comment on putting Jesus--body, blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist--back in the center of the santuary in a tabernacle. How about putting inspirational statuary back in as well? How about making the inside of the church holy and SILENT once again instead of a parish marketplace for chat and gossip?

How about doing away with the applause in church and the jazz festivals with a return to traditional music and chant as His Holiness as begged?

The earlier post refers to the hiding of the tabernacle as a "bad move." Almost everything since Vatican II has turned out to be a bad move. THAT'S where Satan had his greatest success.

The saintly Benedict XVI is having the last laugh in referring to the Latin Mass as the extraordinary form. It is, indeed. I urge everyone to find an extraordinary Mass and see just how sacred and inspirational Mass--and the church--can be.

Published by: BlackPirate
Ireland 05/14/2009 08:58 AM EST

Thank You God for a truly Great Pope, O Holy Mother Wrap your Mantle around Him and All Our Priests

Published by: Bill McDonough
Lake Mary FL USA 05/14/2009 07:44 AM EST

Questions on indulgences? Just bought a small new 192 page handbook called "Favorite Indulgenced Prayers" by Anthony M. Buono. Excellent source for explanation,governing rules, new and "formerly" indulgenced prayers etc; too bad EWTN's question to the Vatican regarding required confession between "7-8 days" and the answer wasn't listed in the book, which is related below:

Official Response
Apostolic Penitentiary

Prot. N. 39/05/
Apostolic Penitentiary to a doubt proposed on 16 February 2005, by the beloved in Christ Fr. (sic) Colin B. Donovan, STL; regarding the force of the norm in “gift of the Indulgence” which provided that sacramental Confession could be made “about 20 days” before or after the indulgenced work. Did this norm apply only to the Indulgences granted during the Great Jubilee or does it apply in perpetuity, so that even today a plenary indulgence may be gained based on a confession made within “about 20 days before or after the indulgenced work”, it is responded: Negative as far as the first part, Affirmative as far as the second (for this was not written under “Specific Aspects of the Jubilee Year” but in “General remarks on indulgences”).

Given in Rome, from the offices of the Apostolic Penitentiary, 18 Feb ruary 2005. Joannes Franciscus Girotti O.F.M. Con Regent Joannes Maria Gervais Assitino in Studies.

Published by: Anita
Florida,USA 05/13/2009 10:44 PM EST

I am totally disgusted with those who speak out against the Catholic church and yet call themselves Christians.To criticize another Christian, which is what Catholics are, is ridiculous, Jesus said,"Love one another". I am very grateful that the Pope is encouraging us to pray for priests.All religious leaders need all the prayer they can get.This includes every faith.Thank you Pope Benedict, for being wise and prudent.

Published by: MICHAEL MCDONOUGH
WEST COVINA 05/13/2009 09:16 PM EST

GOD BLESS THE POPE!!WHEN WE HEAR THE POPE, WE HEAR CHRIST;WHEN WE FOLLOW THE POPE, WE FOLLOW CHRIST!THANK YOU, HOLY FATHER,FOR GIVING THE FAITHFUL A WONDERFUL INDULGENCE TO STRENGTHEN AND PROTECT OUR PRIESTS...

Published by: Mary
FL 05/13/2009 05:46 PM EST

Little known perhaps, that St. John Marie Vianney followed MARIST spirituality. He was a MARIST belonging to the then Third Order of Mary (Society of Mary) more commonly known today internationally as Marist Laity or followers of Marist Way spirituality. Today, all clergy/deacons/adults children and people of all ages are invited to belong to the Marist Family and follow the Marist Way as did St. John Marie Vianney, living again the life of Mary at Nazareth for the Church in this age.
(MARIST via Google etc. for info.)

Published by: Maria
Ches Bch MD USA 05/13/2009 03:43 PM EST

A plenary indulgence remits all punishment due to sin and a partial indulgence remits part of that punishment. (which part is left up to God)

Published by: Carol Smith
Springfield,Mo, USA 05/13/2009 02:28 PM EST

This needs to be in every Catholic church bulletin. There isn't a priest alive that doesn't need prayer and abundant grace. Thank you Pope Benedict!

Published by: Diane
USA 05/13/2009 12:57 PM EST

I love this Church and this Pope. Thank you, Holy Father.

Published by: Steve
Columbus/OH/USA 05/13/2009 12:23 PM EST

Dave, an indulgence is a partial or plenary (full) remission of the temporal punishment due to sin(s) that have already been forgiven. Think of it as a lessening of time in Purgatory. Reference CCC Chapters 1471-1473 for clarification.

Published by: Sojurner Truth
Leesburg, VA 05/13/2009 10:52 AM EST

to:Al Garner: satan most certainly does NOT have his hand on all Roman Catholic Priests!! GOD FORBID! Itsky is chasing many of our Priests around TRYING for that. GOD FORBID!! So far, the vast majority of R.C. Priests are the Terror of itsky & his followers. They are UNDER THE FEET of our Roman Catholic Priests. I Thank God & His Holiness for a much-needed "Year of R.C. Priests"--May God Bless & Protect every single one of them. Truly, each & every R.C. Priest deserves our constant Prayer on their behalf.

Published by: Dave
Poynette Wi USA 05/13/2009 07:51 AM EST

Can someone clarify what a "partial indulgence" is?

Published by: Bob Allard
Port St. Lucie, Florida 05/13/2009 07:26 AM EST

Thank you Mother Church for this timely and wonderful plenary indulgence for priests. They need our constant prayers and support. May Go bless them all! Amen.

Published by: Rose
San Jose, ca 05/13/2009 04:17 AM EST

Yes, we need to value this great gift that their parents have loaned to us. A confidential 800 number where they can share their difficulties and get help. We owe to them because we care that they represent God everyday and for their parents to know that we will continually honor and protect them in any difficult situations.

Published by: Luz
No Hollywood 05/13/2009 02:24 AM EST

This is very beautiful and very much needed in light of the recent scandal involving Fr. Cutie from Florida lets continue to pray for all priests because like the rest of us, they too are human.

Published by: Joseph Wagner
Sarasota f.l. 34238 usa 05/13/2009 01:16 AM EST

May God Bless our beloved Pope, Benedict XVI

Joe Wagner

Published by: Christine
Kelowna/B.C./Canada 05/12/2009 11:44 PM EST

Praise be to God! Indulgences are a beautiful gift the Church offers Her faithful, but one that most people don't even realize is available. This generous gift from Pope Benedict XVI will cause an abundance of prayers to be offered for our priests, and great things will happen! Thank you Lord, for blessing us with this beautiful, faithful pope!

Published by: L DVor
Banning, Ca usa 05/12/2009 11:23 PM EST

This will be an incentive
for prayerful priests.
However, why not have
this accessible to
Catholics who also say
the office. After all,
the laypeople pray a lot
for priests, why not in-
clude them in daily plenary indulgences???

Published by: AL GARNER
PITTSBURGH USA 05/12/2009 08:22 PM EST

Rate: Very Good

Satan has his hand on them all. We must pray for them! he is out to destroy the Priesthood!
WE ARE WEAK! NO PRIEST NO SACRAMENTS! We need to put Jesus back in the center of the SANCTUARY!!! THIS WAS A BAD MOVE!!

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