Chicagoland

Earn an indulgence

By Catholic New World
Sunday, December 2, 2012

Pope Benedict XVI has granted special indulgences to the faithful who observe and take part in the celebration of the Year Faith. This year is “dedicated to the profession of the true faith and its correct interpretation, through the reading of — or better still the pious meditation upon — the Acts of the [Second Vatican] Council and the articles of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.” By participating in any of the various observances of this year, and while fulfilling the usual conditions (see below), one may gain this special indulgence.

In order to gain this special indulgence, a Catholic is required first to make sacramental Confession, receive the Eucharist at Mass and offer prayers for the pope’s intentions.

In addition to and in conjunction with fulfilling these conditions, one may then take part in any of the following observances of the Year of Faith:

n Each time one attends at least three sermons (e.g., during a mission), or at least three presentations (e.g., a workshop) on the Acts of the Second Vatican Council or on the articles of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in church or any other suitable location.

n Each time one visits, in the course of a pilgrimage, a papal basilica, Christian catacomb, cathedral church or a designated holy site, and there participates in a sacred celebration, or at least remains for a congruous period of time in prayer and pious meditation, concluding with the recitation of the Our Father, the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary and, depending on the circumstances, to the Holy Apostles and patron saints. Pilgrimage parishes are designated in the Archdiocese of Chicago and listed below.

n Each time that, on days designated for the Year of Faith, one participates in a solemn celebration of the Eucharist or the Liturgy of the Hours, adding thereto the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form. Designated days are listed on page 18.

n On any day one chooses, during the Year of Faith, if one makes a pious visit to the baptistery, or other place in which they received the Sacrament of Baptism, and there renews their baptismal promises in any legitimate form.

If one who, due to illness or other legitimate cause is unable to leave their place of abode, they may still obtain the plenary indulgence if united in spirit and thought with other faithful, and especially at the times when the words of the pope and diocesan bishop are transmitted by television or radio, one recites the Our Father, the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form, and other prayers that concord with the objectives of the Year of Faith, offering up the suffering and discomfort of their lives.

Source: Office for Divine Worship

Pilgrimage parishes

Vicariate I: St. Peter, Antioch; St. Peter, Volo; St. Paul, Gurnee; National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Marytown, Libertyville; St. James, Highwood; St. James, Arlington Heights; St. John the Evangelist, Streamwood; St. Matthew, Schaumburg

Vicariate II: St. Peter, Skokie: St. Philip the Apostle, Northfield; St. Timothy, 6326 N. Washtenaw Ave.; St. Andrew, 3546 N. Paulina; St. Matthias, 2310 W. Ainslie St.; Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St.; The National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, 2520 N. Lakeview Ave.

Vicariate III: St. Mark, 1048 N. Campbell Ave.; St. Paul, 22nd Place and Hoyne; St. Simon the Apostle, 5157 S. California Ave.; St. Peter, 110 W. Madison St.

Vicariate IV: St. Bartholomew, 3601 N. Lavergne; St. James, 5730 W. Fullerton; St. Luke, River Forest

Vicariate V: St. James, Sag Bridge

Vicariate VI: St. James, 2942 S. Wabash; St. Thomas the Apostle, 5472 S. Kimbark Ave.; Ss. Peter and Paul, 12422 S. Halsted St.; St. Paul, Chicago Heights; St. Andrew the Apostle, Calumet City; St. James, Sauk Village; St. John, Glenwood; St. Jude the Apostle, South Holland

Days Designated for the Year of Faith Indulgence

Jan. 25: Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle

Feb. 22: Feast of the Chair of St. Peter the Apostle

April 25: Feast of St. Mark

May 3: Feast of Sts. Philip and James

May 14: Feast of St. Matthias

June 29: Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul

July 3: Feast of St. Thomas

July 25: Feast of St. James

Aug. 24: Feast of St. Bartholomew

Sept. 21: Feast of St. Matthew

Oct. 18: Feast of St. Luke

Oct. 28: Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude

Nov. 30: Feast of St. Andrew

Dec. 27: Feast of St. John

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