The Vatican’s Apostolic Penitentiary announced an opportunity for a plenary indulgence during the current coronavirus pandemic. According to the decree: "The gift of special indulgences is granted to the faithful suffering from covid-19 disease, commonly known as coronavirus, as well as to health care workers, family members, and all those who in any capacity, including through prayer, care for them.
Indulgence Qualifications for the Suffering
A plenary indulgence removes all temporal punishment due to sin, but one must have "a spirit detached from any sin" for it to completely apply (otherwise, it is a partial indulgence). The suffering who can qualify for a plenary indulgence during the coronavirus pandemic:
1) Those suffering from the coronavirus illness.
2) Those ordered to quarantine themselves due to the virus.
3) Health care workers, family members, and others caring for those with the coronavirus (exposing themselves to contagion).
To gain a plenary indulgence, one must do at least one of the following:
♦ Unite spiritually through the media in the celebration of the Holy Mass.
♦ Recite the Holy Rosary.
♦ Make a pious exercise of the Way of the Cross (or other forms of devotion).
♦ Profess the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and "a pious invocation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, offering this trial in a spirit of faith in God and charity towards their brothers and sisters."
Also, perform all of the following as soon as possible (the three usual conditions for a plenary indulgence):
A) Sacramental Confession.
B) Eucharistic Communion.
C) Pray for the Pope’s intentions.
Indulgence Qualifications for All Others
The faithful not directly suffering from the coronavirus can also obtain a plenary indulgence by "imploring the Almighty God for the end of the epidemic, relief for those who are afflicted, and eternal salvation for those whom the Lord has called to Himself."
In addition to the three usual conditions mentioned above for a plenary indulgence, at least one of the following must be performed:
♥ Visit the Blessed Sacrament or go to Eucharistic Adoration.
♥ Read the Holy Scriptures for at least 30 minutes.
♥ Recite the Holy Rosary.
♥ Make a pious exercise of the Way of the Cross.
♥ Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
Plenary indulgence for those unable to receive Anointing of the Sick:
The decree adds that "the Church prays for those who find themselves unable to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and of the Viaticum, entrusting each and every one to Divine Mercy by virtue of the Communion of Saints and granting the faithful a plenary indulgence on the point of death, provided that they are duly disposed and have recited a few prayers during their lifetime (in this case, the Church makes up for the three usual conditions required). For the attainment of this indulgence, the use of the crucifix or the cross is recommended."
Indulgences and the Treasury of Merits (see Matthew 6:19-20) are explained in an easy-to-understand web article by Dr. Taylor Marshall. Please pray for an end to the pandemic and for all suffering from the coronavirus!
+JMJ+
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