Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Made public yesterday a Decree issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary to rant the faithful special indulgences on the recurrence of the 15th World Day for the Sick, on 11 February 2007. The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI appointed Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragán, president of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral his Special Envoy to the main celebrations in Seoul, Korea.
“After man’s fall and original sin deprived him of supernatural and preternatural gifts- the Decree reads -, God, our Creator and Redeemer, in His infinite mercy closely united with a mysterious bond what is demanded by justice and what can be obtained by forgiveness: hence, suffering which is of penal nature, becomes a suitable opportunity to expiate sins and further growth in virtues, and thus obtain eternal salvation. This disposition of Divine Providence is fulfilled in favour of the faithful by virtue of the Paschal mystery of Christ…therefore the same condition by which man is subject to sickness and consequent suffering, when accepted with acts of Faith, Hope and Charity as the object of the most holy will of God, increases holiness.”
The Decree recalls that “human remedies are limited and that inevitably there comes a time when man ends his journey on this earth”, hence to need to give “care and attention and show the greatest love” to sick people in this condition so that “their passing from this world to the Father may be comforted by divine consolations and so … there may appear to them the face of gentle Jesus Christ and the clear sound of His voice calling them to eternal glory and happiness”. The Church wishes the annual celebration of World Day for the Sick to be an opportunity for effective catechesis on the value and function of suffering.
A Plenary Indulgence is granted to “members of the faithful who on the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion and prayers according to the intentions of the Pope) and with the soul detached from any sort of sin, on 11 February devoutly participate in the city of Seoul or in any other place established by the ecclesiastical authority in a religious service to pray to God for the finalities of the World Day for 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 service, 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.”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 6/2/2007, righe 41, parole 583)
