N. S. Los Angeles
Posted by Terry Nelson on Jul 29th, 2008
Our Lady of the Angels
August 2nd is the feast of Our Lady of the Angels - a Franciscan feast for which Los Angeles was originally named. In view of today’s earthquake, residents there may wish to take note. Attached to this feast is what is known as the Great Pardon of Assisi, obtained by St. Francis. It is in effect an opportunity for all of the faithful in the world (not just in Assisi) to gain a plenary indulgence. Here is how:
The Portiuncula Indulgence.
The date was set from vespers of the first of August until sundown on the second of August, the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels. It is said that St. Francis was given this day by Our Lord because the Feast of the Chains of St. Peter celebrated on August first is the day Peter was released from prison and his chains removed. This is an extraordinary demonstration of God’s mercy in removing the chains of sin from those who devoutly and faithfully seek to gain the indulgence by completing its requirements.
The date was set from vespers of the first of August until sundown on the second of August, the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels. It is said that St. Francis was given this day by Our Lord because the Feast of the Chains of St. Peter celebrated on August first is the day Peter was released from prison and his chains removed. This is an extraordinary demonstration of God’s mercy in removing the chains of sin from those who devoutly and faithfully seek to gain the indulgence by completing its requirements.
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The conditions to obtain the Plenary Indulgence of the Forgiveness of Assisi is (for oneself or for a departed soul) as follows:
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– A devout visit to the Portiuncula, or to a Franciscan chapel, or to a designated church; and if none of these are possible, a devout visit to the parish church, with some time spent in prayer, along with recitation of The Apostles Creed, Our Father and a prayer for the Pope’s Intention - usually an Our Father and a Hail Mary suffices.
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– Sacramental Confession to be in God’s grace (during eight days before or after.)
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– Participation in the Holy Mass and reception of Communion. (eight days before or after.)
This indulgence has been extended to all parish churches throughout the world. - More on the Indulgence here.
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[Note: The norms and grants of indulgences were completely reformed by Pope Paul VI after the Second Vatican Council in his Apostolic Constitution "Indulgentiarum Doctrina" (1967), and the Portiuncula Indulgence was again confirmed at that time. According to the Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, the Catholic faithful may gain a plenary indulgence on 2 August (the Portiuncula) or on such other day as designated by the local ordinary for the advantage of the faithful, under the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Holy Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff), by devoutly visiting the parish church, and there reciting at least the Lord's Prayer and the Creed. The Indulgence applies to the cathedral church of the diocese, and to the co-cathedral church (if there is one), even if they are not parochial, and also to quasi-parochial churches. To gain this, as any plenary indulgence, the faithful must be free from any attachment to sin, even venial sin. Where this entire detachment is wanting, the indulgence is partial.] - New Advent
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(I posted this for Monica. Also, the template has changed here and I’m not used to it - which explains the different fonts and size of text.)
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If you are still confused, check out Roman Sacristan’s post on the indulgence here - he explains it much better than I do.
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And then visit the actual shrine here.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Thank you Terry. I thought the requirement to attend Mass on that particular day wasn’t correct. Glad it is a First Friday this week so I can get to St. A’s for confession tomorrow night