4. To receive an indulgence
The Apostolic Penitentiary has granted on a permanent basis, by its document of July 19, 2005, a plenary indulgence to the faithful who come on pilgrimage to the chapel on the following days and under the following conditions:
When?
Each time that the faithful come on a planned pilgrimage with their parish, a Church association or other group; on all solemnities in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary: January 1, the feast of Mary, the Mother of God, August 15, Assumption of Mary, December 8, Immaculate Conception of Mary, the feasts of November 27, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and November 28, feast of Saint Catherine Laboure, and one time per year on any date chosen by the individual (personal pilgrimage).
How?
In order to receive an indulgence, you must do the following: participate in the pilgrimage events, come to the chapel and stay for an appropriate amount of time to meditate and pray, take part in a public celebration (Mass, rosary, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament) or at least pray the opening prayer from the Sunday Mass (the prayer can be found in a Missal or Living With Christ or Magnificat or similar publications) and add an invocation to Mary (for example: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.) You should also have a sincere regret for your sin and reject sin, celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation and participate in the celebration of Eucharist in the days close to the time of pilgrimage, pray specially for the intentions of the Holy Father, and throughout the year, participate in works of charity and justice.
An indulgence is given at the time of communion during Mass
An indulgence, a sign of hope!
Let us explain what an indulgence is by way of an example. If I say something bad against another person, I am doing what is wrong, which is a sin.
Sin has several consequences. The first consequence is that sin separates us from God. Serious sin can even separate us completely from God for all eternity! The second consequence is that sin does harm to me as well. It takes away my freedom. My relationship with others is no longer in balance… due to jealousy…desire for wealth…power or domination… as well as in the area of affectivity (for example, sexuality). I do not do the good that I would like to do, and I do the evil that I do not want to do. The third consequence is that sin brings harm to others. In this example, bad words about another destroy that person’s reputation. Even more serious, others will repeat what I said. In this way, what is bad spreads, becoming bigger and stronger. The wrong or evil that I do contributes to the evil that is done in the world.
What should I do?
First of all, reconciliation or confession. In the sacrament of Reconciliation, in confessing my sins to a priest I receive forgiveness for my sins. I am no longer separated from God (communion). The first consequence of sin is erased. However, the second and third consequences of sin remain.
The Church offers in places of pilgrimage, or also on the occasions of jubilees and feast days, the possibility of receiving an indulgence. This is because in order to remove the second and third consequences of sin, we need purification. The Church believes that this can happen here on earth with the help of an indulgence, or we can be purified after our death (purgatory). In receiving an indulgence, we do what is contrary to sin. It is a good act that contributes to all the good in the world. We are in communion with the saints in heaven. This good extends to others, and becomes greater and stronger than evil.
Who can receive an indulgence?
I can receive it for myself if I have been baptized, or to help a Christian who is deceased and who needs purification after death (purgatory). We can receive an indulgence for a loved one (a grandparent, a close relative, etc.), a friend or… an enemy… the love of Christ invites us to this!
Father Bertrand PONSARD C.M., Chaplain