Plenary Indulgence Fulfillment: Borrowing from an announcement by Bishop Pates, the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, here is how you can fulfill the requirements for the Divine Mercy Sunday plenary indulgence during the coronavirus shelter-in. Do all those things which you can do to fulfill the requirements, and do the rest of the requirements as soon as you can fulfill them. The requirements are:

1. Completely detest sin (sometimes said as complete detachment from sin).
2. Say an Our Father and the Creed before a devout image of Our Merciful Lord Jesus.
3. Pray a devout invocation to the merciful Jesus, such as "Merciful Lord Jesus, I trust in you.
4. Go to confession and receive absolution.
5. Receive holy communion.
6. Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, Pope Francis: normally an Our Father and Hail Mary are prayed.

The full text of the letter of bishop Pates follows, from the website

Coronavirus Update Diocese of Joliet

April 11, 2020

Dear Priests and Deacons: I have been contacted by some of our brothers inquiring about indulgences for Mercy Sunday. The Apostolic Penitentiary provided information on the Divine Mercy Plenary Indulgence in a document issued on June 29, 2002. It made references to cases wherein individuals were unable to attend Mercy Sunday services in a Church. The corona virus situation would qualify since it was not foreseen in 2002. The text reads:“[A]ll who for a just cause cannot leave their homes or who carry out an activity for the community which cannot be postponed, may obtain a plenary indulgence on Divine Mercy Sunday, if totally detesting any sin, as has been said before, and with the intention of fulfilling as soon as possible the three usual conditions, will recite the Our Father and the Creed before a devout image of Our Merciful Lord Jesus and, in addition, pray a devout invocation to the Merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you). If it is impossible that people do even this, on the same day they may obtain the Plenary Indulgence if with a spiritual intention they are united with those carrying out the prescribed practice for obtaining the Indulgence in the usual way and offer to the Merciful Lord a prayer and the sufferings of their illness and the difficulties of their lives, with the resolution to accomplish as soon as possible the three conditions prescribed to obtain the plenary indulgence.” Therefore, for all of those who cannot pray in a church or chapel, the actions outlined above in bold would be applicable. To receive the plenary indulgence, a person would have to:

1. recite the Our Father and the Creed in front of a devout image of the Merciful Lord Jesus;
2. meet these three conditions, or have the sincere intention to fulfill them as soon as possible: a. Being truly repentant and receiving absolution in the Sacrament of Penance b. Reception of Holy Communion c. Praying for the Holy Father’s intentions.
3. and have total detachment from any inclination (desire) to sin, even venial sins.

TAN Books is offering a 30% discount, and $5 shipping now matter how large your order may be. You may combine orders into one order and still get them for $5 if sent to one address. In addition, they will also give your parish 30% of the profit of the sales. To qualify for this offer, use the St. Rose Parish code: ROSE62301 They have an excellent selection of history books and audio under the Kids button at the top of the page. The first thing which will show up is The Story of Civilization. Click on those and you can buy individual parts of each set. These are being used for homeschooling and in Catholic schools. Everything being sold by TAN is included in this 30% off deal for the rest of April.

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