Local Church offers indulgence for the Year of St. Paul

WESTERN CATHOLIC REPORTER

Edmonton – Catholics in the Edmonton Archdiocese who devoutly attend Mass on Sunday, Jan. 25, the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, may be eligible for a plenary indulgence marking the Pauline jubilee year.

The indulgence would relieve Catholics of all temporal punishment for sins that have been forgiven.

Archbishop Richard Smith announced the indulgence in a letter to clergy of the archdiocese dated November 2008.

The archbishop’s letter noted that Pope Benedict has granted diocesan bishops the right to grant a plenary indulgence during the 2008-09 Year of St. Paul that marks the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of the apostle to the Gentiles.

Along with devout attendance at Mass on the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, those seeking an indulgence must also receive the sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion and pray for the intentions of the pope.

Smith notes that it is appropriate if people fulfill the other conditions for the indulgence on Jan. 25, but that it is sufficient if they are carried out within 20 days either before or after the feast day.

The person must also be in a state of grace at the time the indulgenced work is completed and must have “the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, even venial sin.”

Jan. 25 is the third Sunday in Ordinary Time. However, Pope Benedict has given permission for parishes to celebrate the liturgy for the Conversion of St. Paul during the Pauline Year.

The archbishop’s letter also notes that those who are unable to attend Mass on Jan. 25 because of illness or some other legitimate and important cause can receive the indulgence as long as they meet the other conditions for the indulgence and “spiritually join in a jubilee celebration in honour of St. Paul, offering their prayers and sufferings to God for Christian unity.”

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