From the Pastor’s Desk
On Tuesday of this week, August 2, the annual Portiuncula Indulgence is available to the Catholic faithful. Also known as “The Great Pardon” the indulgence was first requested by Saint Francis of Assisi to Pope Honorius III (papal reign from 1216-1227) following the renovation of the Portiuncula (meaning “small portion”) chapel that had been abandoned by the Benedictines near Assisi. It was here that Saint Francis first heard our Lord tell him, “Go, rebuild my Church.” Francis thought he meant this little chapel which he took to singularly working upon to renovate. Eventually, Francis realized that the Lord meant the Universal Church. Thus, he went to Rome in order to petition the Pope that anyone who visited the Portiuncula would be granted a plenary indulgence.
Later, the indulgence was broadened to permit people who visited churches under the care of the Franciscan Order. Eventually, the favors of this indulgence were granted to every member of the Catholic Church by visiting any church on August 2 and fulfilling the following prescriptions:
- Confessions of sins in the Sacrament of Penance (during eight days before or after August 2);
- Participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and reception of Holy Communion
- Recitation of the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer as well as the praying of the Lord’s Prayer, “Hail, Mary,” and “Glory be” for the intentions of the Pope
On Tuesday, in addition to our 7:00 a.m. Mass and Solemn Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, confession will be available at the following times: from after the 7:00 a.m. Mass until 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.
During the Jubilee Year of Mercy, what a grace-filled favor we have from God to receive, celebrate and experience his merciful love.
Love,
Father Tom