The Holy Father Pope Francis opened the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve, marking the beginning of the Jubilee Year, the theme for which is Pilgrims of Hope. The Jubilee presents an opportunity for spiritual renewal. One aspect of this is the availability of gaining indulgences either for yourself or the Holy Souls in Purgatory. An indulgence releases the soul of all the residual penalties attached to sin. In the Catholic tradition there are several ways to obtain a partial or a plenary (that is a full) indulgence. In the Jubilee Year one way is to make a journey or “pilgrimage” to one of the designated Jubilee Churches in our Diocese, the nearest one to us is the Cathedral. At the time, or as soon as possible afterwards, go to confession, receive the Eucharist, and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father. The indulgence is not “magic” in that the person also must have a detachment from sin, or as some of us will remember from the past, have what is called “a firm purpose of amendment”. The Holy See has provided guidance for obtaining these particular spiritual graces and I have left at the back of the church information about this which I hope you find to be helpful. More information will be issued by the Diocese soon concerning Jubilee related activities during the year.

Fr Chris