Many of us in the Order are simply waiting for something dreadful to happen to our friends and neighbours, so we can start being useful.
Well, you can start NOW! Many people are dying around the world, and need all the supernatural assistance they can get. The greatest act of Charity we can give in such circumstances is to gain as many plenary indulgences for their souls as we can. You can gain one each day. You don't even need to go to Church now, there really is no excuse!
"The Plenary Indulgence is granted to the faithful suffering from Coronavirus, who are subject to quarantine by order of the health authority in hospitals or in their own homes if, with a spirit detached from any sin, they unite spiritually through the media to the celebration of Holy Mass, the recitation of the Holy Rosary, to the pious practice of the Way of the Cross or other forms of devotion, or if at least they will recite the Creed, the Lord's Prayer and a pious invocation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, offering this trial in a spirit of faith in God and charity towards their brothers and sisters, with the will to fulfil the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the Holy Father's intentions), as soon as possible.
"Health care workers, family members and all those who, following the example of the Good Samaritan, exposing themselves to the risk of contagion, care for the sick of Coronavirus according to the words of the divine Redeemer: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15: 13), will obtain the same gift of the Plenary Indulgence under the same conditions."For the rest of us, for all the Faithful, a plenary indulge is available through a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, or Stations of the Cross, or spiritual reading for half-an-hour. For those in Central London, the Diocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament, Corpus Christi Maiden Lane, will have Exposition every lunchtime, which the possibility of Confession daily. They are also streaming Holy Mass at 8am. Website click here to check details.
The Apostolic decree may be read in full by clicking below:
"Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary on the granting of special Indulgences to the faithful in the current pandemic"
Finally, Cardinal Nichols offers many words of comfort in his Pastoral Letter HERE. His Eminence says:
"I want to make it exceptionally clear that the teaching of the Church is that, in these circumstances, the obligation of attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days no longer applies. Please have no doubt about this.
"This does not mean that we lose our love of the Mass or our desire to take part in the celebration of the Mass. Mass will be celebrated, day by day, in your church. There are many ways of taking part in this prayer. Associate yourself with the celebration of the Mass spiritually. Read the Scriptures of the day. Use some of the materials that are available to be close in your heart. Learn again the practice of spiritual communion. If you are helped by a visual participation in the Mass, then go to one of the websites on which that celebration is being streamed. The list of those websites is available to you.
"There are many ways in which we can deepen our participation in the Mass and our life of prayer in these strange and stressful days. Indeed, they are an opportunity for us to do so.
Being unable to attend Mass is the experience of many, many Catholics around the world. They are deprived of the Mass through distance, or through violence, or through persecution. We can unite our experience with them and, like them, return to the Mass with fresh love and enthusiasm when, again, it is possible for us to do so, in bigger numbers than ever."
Mary, Mother of Jesus, pray for us
Mary, Mother of Sorrows, pray for us
Mary, Mother of Joys, pray for us.
Mary, Mother of Sorrows, pray for us
Mary, Mother of Joys, pray for us.
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