2023-07-05 19:02:00
July 5, 2023 / 12:02 p.m.
Pope Francis has granted plenary indulgence, with the usual conditions to obtain it, on the occasion of the III World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, which will take place on Sunday, July 23.
The Holy Father instituted this world day in 2021, so that it takes place on the fourth Sunday of July, near the commemoration of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, which is celebrated every July 26.
In a simple way, it could be said that the plenary indulgence completely “purifies” the person’s soul and “returns” it to the state it was in when receiving Baptism, so that if he died after obtaining it, he would go directly to Heaven. Hence its spiritual value for all the faithful.
In a decree published on July 5, the Apostolic Penitentiary explains that the Pontiff accepted the request of Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life, to grant a plenary indulgence for the world day, which this year will be celebrated with the theme “His mercy extends from generation to generation”.
The text, dated June 15, specifies that in order to gain or obtain plenary indulgence it is necessary to meet the following usual conditions: sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion and prayer according to the intentions of the Pope.
The decree also highlights that the plenary indulgence is granted “to grandparents, the elderly and all the faithful who, animated by a true spirit of penance and charity, participate on July 23, 2023 in the third World Day of Grandparents and of the Elderly, in the solemn celebration that Pope Francis will preside over” in Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican “or in the various celebrations that will take place throughout the world”.
This plenary indulgence, underlines the text, “may also be applied in suffrage of the souls in Purgatory”, that is, for a deceased person.
The decree also highlights that the indulgence is granted “to the faithful who dedicate adequate time to visit their older siblings in need or in difficulty (such as the sick, abandoned, disabled…), either in person or virtually through the media.” communication”.
The indulgence may also be obtained by the sick elderly and all those who, “not being able to leave home for a serious reason, spiritually join the sacred functions of the World Day, offering their prayers, their pains and the sufferings of one’s life, especially while the words of the Supreme Pontiff and the various celebrations are broadcast through the media.
Since one of the conditions is Confession, the decree concludes by encouraging priests “to make themselves available, with a prompt and generous spirit, for the celebration of the Sacrament of Penance.”
Walter Sánchez Silva is a senior writer at ACI Prensa, with more than 15 years covering Church events in Europe, America and Asia.
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