Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
La Plata (Agenzia Fides) – In a letter addressed to priests, consecrated persons, and all faithful of the Archdiocese, on the occasion of this Pauline Year, the Archbishop of La Plata Hector Aguer mentions that although the main celebrations will be taking place in Rome, it is the entire Church that is “called to live this jubilee in liturgical gatherings and various acts of devotion, and pastoral, cultural, and social initiatives inspired by Pauline theology and spirituality.” Thus, he expresses his hope that “the Church in La Plata be diligent in responding to this initiative and live this moment of grace with sincere fervor.”
The message will be read in the vigil Masses of Saturday, June 21 and all Masses on Sunday, June 22. In it, the prelate “earnestly” asks that all those who work as pastoral leaders or in the area of education, during this year “try to spread the life, mission, and doctrine of Saint Paul among the faithful, through preaching, catechesis, or religious education classes in schools, according to the circumstances and possibilities in each community.”
After expressing his hope that “all faithful may be encouraged to nurture their faith and love for Christ through reading and meditating on the Letters of St. Paul,” he asks them to provide “the necessary support for carrying out this objective, organizing various activities such as retreats, courses, Bible study groups, and ‘lectio divina’ sessions.”
“As a diocese, we should be inspired by the life and teachings of the Apostle, so as to discern the means and times of the mission that we should constantly take advantage of and that lead us out to those areas where the Gospel is not sufficiently preached or received, to the difficult and forgotten places.”
He later mentions the gaining of an indulgence for all faithful, asking that for this reason, “the priests may remind all of the doctrine on indulgences, exactly as it is articulated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the general conditions for obtaining a plenary indulgence: confession, Communion, excluding all attachment to sin, and a prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions. I also ask that they may especially make an effort in facilitating the Sacrament of Confession for the faithful.” In addition, he indicates the days on which the indulgence can be obtained in the Archdiocese of La Plata.
Archbishop Aguer will preside the solemn inauguration of the jubilee year, at a Mass on June 29, at 8pm in the local Cathedral. “On this occasion,” he says, “I will be praying for all of you, that you may be abundantly enriched with the spiritual fruits that we can expect from this extraordinary jubilee.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 17/6/2008)
