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Special Indulgences
are conceded to faithful on the occasion of the 2000th anniversary of the birth
of St Paul the Apostle
In the imminence of the liturgical Solemnity of the Princes
of the Apostles, motivated by pastoral solicitude the Supreme Pontiff intends
to provide promptly for spiritual treasures to be granted to the faithful for
their sanctification, so that on this pious and happy occasion, from First
Vespers of the Solemnity mentioned, they may renew and reinforce with even
greater fervour intentions of supernatural salvation, principally in honour of
the Apostle to the Gentiles, the 2000th anniversary of whose birth on earth is
now approaching.
The gift of Indulgences which the Roman Pontiff offers to
the universal Church, truly smoothes the way to attaining a supreme degree of
inner purification which, while honouring the Blessed Apostle Paul, exalts the
supernatural life in the hearts of the faithful and gently encourages them to
do good deeds.
Therefore, this Apostolic Penitentiary, to which the Holy
Father has entrusted the task of the preparation and compilation of the Decree
on the granting and obtaining of Indulgences that will be valid for the
duration of the Pauline Year, benevolently bestows with this Decree issued in
conformity with the desire of the August Pontiff, the following graces listed:
I. Each and every truly repentant individual member of the
Christian faithful, duly absolved through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and
restored with Holy Communion, who devoutly makes a pilgrimage to the Papal
Basilica of St Paul on the Ostian Way and who prays for the Supreme Pontiff's
intentions, will be granted the Plenary Indulgence from temporal punishment for
his/her sins, once sacramental forgiveness and pardon for any shortcomings has
been obtained.
The Christian faithful may benefit from the Plenary
Indulgence both for themselves and for the deceased, as many times as they
fulfil the required conditions but without prejudice to the norm stipulating
that the Plenary Indulgence may be obtained only once a day.
In order that the prayer raised on this holy visit may lead
and invite the souls of the faithful to venerate more intensely the memory of
St Paul, the following has been established: the faithful, in addition to
raising their own supplications before the altar of the Most Blessed Sacrament,
each one according to his own devotion, must go to the altar of the Confessio
and devoutly recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding pious invocations in
honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Paul. And may this devotion always be
closely united to the memory of the Prince of the Apostles, St Peter.
II. The Christian faithful of the various local Churches,
having fulfilled the required conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic
Communion, prayers for the Supreme Pontiff's intentions) and in a spirit of
total detachment from any inclination to sin, may benefit from the Plenary
Indulgence if they take part devoutly in a sacred function or in a pious public
exercise in honour of the Apostle to the Gentiles; on the days of the solemn
opening and closure of the Pauline Year, in all the sacred places; on other
days specified by the local Ordinary, in holy places dedicated to St Paul and,
for the convenience of the faithful, in other places designated by the same
Ordinary.
III. Lastly, the faithful prevented by illness or another
legitimate and important cause, always in a spirit of detachment from any
inclination to sin, with the intention of fulfilling the usual conditions as
soon as possible, will also be able to obtain the Plenary Indulgence, as long
as they spiritually join in a Jubilee celebration in honour of St Paul,
offering their prayers and sufferings to God for Christian unity.
In order that the faithful may more easily share in these
heavenly favours, may the priests approved by the competent ecclesiastical
authority for hearing confessions prepare promptly and generously to receive
them.
This Decree is effective for the whole of the Pauline Year.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary.
Given in Rome, at the Offices of the Apostolic Penitentiary,
10 May, in the Year of the Incarnation of the Lord 2008, on the eve of
Pentecost.
Cardinal James Francis Stafford
Major Penitentiary
Fr Gianfranco Girotti, O.F.M. Conv.
Titular Bishop of Meta Regent
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Church Reunion