Vatican grants plenary indulgence to March for Life Pilgrims

The faithful of the Diocese of Metuchen who participate either virtually or in person in the events surrounding the March for Life, including the Masses that will be celebrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception can receive a plenary indulgence granted by a decree from Pope Francis. 

Links to the prayerful celebrations at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception can be found at https://www.nationalshrine.org/
 

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Text of Decree provided by the Holy See

Prot. N. 1373/22/I
Decree

By virtue of the faculties given by the Supreme Pontiff, Francis, the Pope by Divine Providence, and in response to the request of His Eminence Wilton Daniel Cardinal Gregory, Metropolitan Archbishop of Washington, and for the sake of fostering devotion of the faithful and salvation of souls, the Apostolic Penitentiary freely imparts a plenary Indulgence from the heavenly treasures of the Church, to be obtained under the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff) by the Christian faithful who are truly penitential and compelled by charity, which indeed they can also apply to the souls of the faithful held in Purgatory, by way of suffrage, if they take part in the sacred celebrations among the great assembly of people during the course of the annual event that is called “March for Life,” which will be carried out on the 19th and 20th days of January 2023 throughout the Archdiocese of Washington (particularly in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and in the Cathedral church).

The aged, sick, and all those who due to grave reason are not able to leave home will be equally able to obtain the plenary Indulgence, having the disposition of detachment from any kind of sin, with the intention of fulfilling the three customary conditions as soon as one is able, if they spiritually join themselves to the sacred functions especially as the celebrations are broadcast through instruments of communication, offering prayers and their sufferings or ailments of their own life to the merciful God.

Therefore, to allow easier access to acquiring this divine indulgence through the keys of the Church, for the sake of pastoral charity, this Penitentiary earnestly requests that the Diocesan Penitentiary, cathedral clergy, pastors and priests provided with suitable faculties to hear confessions, with a willing and generous spirit might make themselves available for the celebration of Penance. The present Decree will be valid for this event only. Anything whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding. Given in Rome, from the offices of the Apostolic Penitentiary, on the 9th day of the month of January in the Year of our Lord 2023.