(ANS Rome) –The Rector Major asked the Holy See's Apostolic Penitentiary to consider the Bicentenary of Don Bosco's birth, from August 16, 2014 to August 16, 2015 as a Jubilee Year which would involve a plenary indulgence given certain conditions. A part of the decree is published as follows.
The Apostolic Pentientiary, by special mandate of His Holiness Pope Francis, gladly grants the Holy Year with a plenary indulgence attached which, under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, communion and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff) can be gained by members of the Salesian Family and all the faithful who are sorry for their sins and motivated by charity. They can also apply it in suffrage for the souls of those in Purgatory, by fully taking part in a sacred function celebrated in honour of St John Bosco or at least spending some time in prayer before a relic or holy picture of the Saint, concluding with the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and prayers to Our Lady and St John Bosco:
I. On January 31, 2015, the Solemnity of St John Bosco, and August 16, 2015, the day of the Bicentenary;
II. Every time a group takes part in a pilgrimage:
a) to the Church consecrated to God and dedicated to St John Bosco at Castelnuovo Don Bosco, on “Colle Don Bosco” (which is the birthplace of the Saint);
b) to the Church dedicated to Mary Help of Christians in Turin: his remains lie in this Sanctuary which St John Bosco had built, and which became a minor Basilica in 1911. It is the spiritual centre of the entire Institute.
The Christian faithful who are prevented by age or illness may also gain the Plenary Indulgence so long as they are sorry for their sins and have the intention of fulfilling the usual three conditions as soon as possible. They should spend time prayerfully before a picture of St John Bosco, and join in spiritually in celebrations or jubilee visits at home or, when otherwise prevented, say the prayers indicated earlier, and offer up their suffering or difficulties in life.
Published 18/08/2014
