Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Apostolic Penitentiary has issued a Decree through which the Holy Father Benedict XVI will grant the faithful Plenary Indulgence for the occasion of the two-thousandth anniversary of the birth of the Apostle Paul. The Decree is dated May 10, vigil of Pentecost, and will be valid throughout the Pauline Year. It declares that a Plenary Indulgence will be granted to all faithful who “duly purified by the Sacrament of Penance and restored with Holy Communion, undertake a pious visit in the form of a pilgrimage to the papal basilica of St. Paul on Rome's Via Ostiense and pray in accordance with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.” The Plenary Indulgence may be obtained only once a day, for oneself and for the dead. In addition, “the following conditions are laid down: the faithful, apart from pronouncing their own prayers before the altar of the Blessed Sacrament... must go to the altar of the Confession and pray the 'Our Father' and the 'Creed', adding pious invocations in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Paul; and such acts of devotion must remain closely linked to the memory of the Prince of the Apostles St. Peter.”
“Christian faithful from the various local Churches, under the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic communion, prayer in keeping with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff) and completely unattached to any form of sin, may still obtain the Plenary Indulgence if they participate devotedly in a religious function or in a pious exercise held publicly in honour of the Apostle of the Gentiles: on the days of the solemn opening and closing of the Pauline Year in any place of worship; on other days determined by the local ordinary, in holy places named for St. Paul and, for the good of the faithful, in other places designated by the ordinary.”
In conclusion, the document says that the sick, who are unable to leave their homes, may still obtain the Plenary Indulgence, in accord with the usual conditions, “spiritually unite themselves to a Jubilee celebration in honour of St. Paul, offering their prayers and suffering to God for the unity of Christians.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 12/5/2008; righe 27, parole 360)
