Vatican City, Nov 28, 2005 / 22:00 pm
In a decree released today, Pope Benedict has announced that the Church will grant a Plenary Indulgence for the upcoming feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th.
The decree, which was signed by Cardinal James Francis Stafford, penitentiary major of the Apostolic Penitentiary, and Fr. John Francis Girotti, O.F.M. Conv., the group’s regent, notes that the December 8th Feast Day will mark 40 years since Mary was proclaimed Mother of the Church by Pope Paul VI at the Second Vatican Council.
The text notes that the late Holy Father “dedicated great praise to the Virgin who, as Mother of Christ, is Mother of God and spiritual Mother to us all.”
For this reason, the decree continues, “the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI, when he renders public homage of praise to Mary Immaculate, has the heartfelt desire that the entire Church should join with him, so that all the faithful, united in the name of the common Mother, become ever stronger in the faith, adhere with greater devotion to Christ, and love their brothers with more fervent charity.”