Special indulgences
for World Youth Day
Aug. 09 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI has granted two
special indulgences for World Youth Day, which will be
held in Cologne from August 16 to 21.
According to a Latin-language decree of the Apostolic
Penitentiary dated August 2 and made public August 8, a
plenary indulgence is available to the faithful who
attend the sacred functions of World Youth Day and also
"attentively and religiously" participate in its solemn
conclusion on Sunday, August 21. The decree lists the
additional conditions that must be fulfilled in order to
gain this or any other plenary indulgence: sacramental
Confession, reception of Holy Communion, prayer for the
intention of the Holy Father, and a soul free from
attachment to any sin.
A partial indulgence is available to all the other
faithful, wherever they may be during World Youth Day,
if, with a contrite heart, they pray fervently that
Christian youth
- be
strengthened in the profession of the Faith;
- be confirmed in love
and reverence toward their parents; and
- form a firm
resolution to follow "the holy norms of the Gospel
and Mother Church" in living out their present or
future family life, or whatever vocation they are
called to by God.
The decree was signed by
Cardinal James Francis Stafford and Father P. Gianfranco
Girotti, OFM Conv., the major penitentiary and regent of
the tribunal. |