Vatican City, Jun 26, 2006 / 22:00 pm
A decree was made public today by Cardinal James Francis Stafford, Apostolic Penitentiary, declaring a plenary indulgence for the faithful during the 5th World Meeting of Families, which is being celebrated in Valencia, Spain from the 1st - 9th of July.
The decree, which was published today but dated on the 15th of June - the Solemnity of Corpus Christi - says that the Holy Father, who will be in Valencia for the celebration, is very pleased to bestow a plenary indulgence to the faithful, “in order to feed the lively desire which brings numerous people from every part of the world, to the celebration.”
Pope Benedict bestowed the plenary indulgence to all participants in the World Meeting as well as those who can not go but, "are united in spirit and thought," to those that will be in Valencia.
The World Meeting of Families was instituted by Pope John Paul II, who desired that the celebration occur every three years, as a way of honoring and discussing issues regarding the pastoral care of families. Pope Benedict said that participants will closely examine this year the theme of the family as the, “seat of life and love, the domestic church, in which is transmitted to children the inestimable gift of the faith from their parents.”
In order to receive the indulgence, the faithful must meet the following requirements:
- Make a good sacramental confession
- Receive Holy Communion
- Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father
- Either participate in the celebrations of the World Meeting in Valencia or, “remain united in spirit and thought” with those who are
- Recite as a family the Our Father, the Creed, and other prayers invoking Divine Mercy
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