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Skriven 2007-02-07 06:32:02 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                               VIS-Press releases

INDULGENCES FOR THE WORLD DAY OF THE SICK

VATICAN CITY, FEB 6, 2007 (VIS) - Late yesterday afternoon, the Apostolic
Penitentiary published a decree announcing the concession of indulgences to the
faithful for the World Day of the Sick, which is celebrated every year on
February 11, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. This year, the Day will be
celebrated in Seoul, Korea.

"We must," the text of the decree reads, "reflect deeply upon the fact that
human remedies have a limit and that, therefore, there will inevitably come a
time when man reaches the end of his journey on this earth. To the sick who are
in that condition we must offer the most attentive care and the greatest
charity, so that their transit from this world to the Father is comforted by
divine consolation and so that, as the Church's prayer for the dying implores,
they may see the gentle face of Jesus Christ and clearly hear the voice calling
them to eternal glory and joy."

"With this awareness, the Holy Mother Church hopes that the annual celebration
of the World Day of the Sick may become an effective catechesis of the teaching
... of the treasure of Revelation, concerning the value and function of
suffering."

For this reason, Plenary Indulgence will be granted "to the faithful who, under
the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer
in keeping with the intentions of the Holy Father), and with the soul
completely removed from attachment to any form of sin, participate on February
11 in the city of Seoul, or at any other place decided by the ecclesiastical
authorities, in a sacred ceremony held to beseech God to grant the goals of the
World Day of the Sick."

The decree continues: "The faithful who, in public hospitals or in private
houses, like 'Good Samaritans' charitably assist the sick - especially those
suffering incurable and terminal diseases - and who, because of the service
they provide, cannot participate in the aforementioned ceremony, will obtain
the same gift of Plenary Indulgence if on that day they generously provide, at
least for a few hours, their charitable assistance to the sick as if they were
tending to Christ the Lord Himself, with the soul completely removed from
attachment to any form of sin, and with the intention of observing, as soon as
they can, the conditions required for obtaining the Plenary Indulgence.

"The faithful who, through sickness, old age or similar reason, are prevented
from participating in the aforementioned ceremony, may obtain the Plenary
Indulgence if, with the soul completely removed from attachment to any form of
sin and with the intention of observing, as soon as they can, the conditions
required, they spiritually participate together with the Holy Father in the
aforesaid ceremony, pray devotedly for the sick, and offer - through the Virgin
Mary 'Health of the Sick' - their physical and spiritual sufferings to God."

Partial Indulgence, the text of the decree concludes, will be conceded to "all
the faithful whenever, between February 9 and 11, with a contrite heart they
raise devout prayers to the merciful Lord calling for these aspirations to be
met in order to help the sick, especially those suffering incurable and
terminal disease."
PENT/INDULGENCES:SICK/...VIS 070206 (540)

SUMMARY

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