GREAT JUBILEE INDULGENCE

One of the greatest acts of God’s loving mercy offered to us this year is the JUBILEE INDULGENCE (which is a Plenary Indulgence). No matter what our sins are or were, how many we have committed, God offers each and everyone of us the chance of commencing our spiritual life again, as it were - as if we were newly baptised babies!

The normal time of purification (temporal punishment) due to us both here on earth and in purgatory is totally removed. In His great mercy God offers us the opportunity of extending His mercy to the suffering souls in purgatory – these may be our deceased loved ones, friends, those we don’t know and those who no longer have anyone to pray for them, in other words we can help all the souls in purgatory! Imagine that you are given the opportunity to release from prison a loved one who has committed a serious crime, become truly repentant with a humble and contrite heart but had a lifetime sentence to serve for his crime. This is what God is offering to us – the chance to release so many souls suffering in purgatory to enter with joy into the glory of heaven.

Each and every day of the JUBILEE YEAR (which closes 6-1-2001) we can obtain one Plenary Indulgence either for ourselves or for a soul in purgatory. (We cannot apply this to other living souls).

The conditions for gaining the Jubilee 2000 Indulgence are as follows:

1. Having a general intention of seeking the Indulgence.

2. Sacramental Confession (this must precede the gaining of the first Indulgence). This is to be followed by frequent confession during the year. (We do not have to go to confession on the same day as we gain the Indulgence, nor do we have to go to confession at the Pilgrimage Church – but we must go to confession first.)

3. Mass and Holy Communion on each day the Indulgence is sought. The Indulgence may be gained only once a day during the Jubilee Year. (We do not have to attend Mass at the pilgrimage church if unable – we may go to Mass elsewhere and then visit the pilgrimage church to complete the required prayers. Country people who may be travelling to a designated Pilgrimage Church may "go to Mass on the way" and visit the church when they arrive – on the same day. If the Pilgrimage Church is locked, simply say your prayers outside the church.)

Then the following in one of the churches designated as Places of Pilgrimage for the Jubilee Year.

4. The recitation of the Nicene or Apostles’ Creed, The Lord's prayer, and a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

5. Prayers for the Intentions of our Holy Father, the Pope.

6 An act of Penance and Charity (chosen personally and performed as soon as possible).