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Benedict XVI is offering a plenary indulgence for those who
participate in Sydney's World Youth Day this month and a partial
indulgence for those who support it with their prayers.
The conditions for the indulgences were made public
in a statement Saturday signed by Cardinal James Francis Stafford and
Bishop Gianfranco Girotti, respectively penitentiary major and regent
of the Apostolic Penitentiary.
Benedict XVI will grant a plenary indulgence to
faithful who "gather at Sydney, Australia, in the spirit of
pilgrimage" to participate in celebrations for the 23rd World Youth
Day, and partial indulgence to "all those who, wherever they are, will
pray for the spiritual goals of this meeting and for its happy
outcome," the decree said.
"Indeed, young people gathered around the Vicar of
Christ will participate in the sacred functions and above all have
recourse to the sacraments of reconciliation and the Eucharist," it
added. "In the sacraments received with a sincere and humble heart,
they will earnestly desire to strengthen themselves in the Spirit,
and, confirmed by the chrism of salvation, will openly witness the
faith before others even to the ends of the earth. May God grant
that the very presence of the Supreme Pontiff among the young people
gathered in Sydney express and render it such."
The typical conditions for indulgences must also be
fulfilled.
The decree explained: "The plenary indulgence is
granted to the faithful who will devotedly participate at some sacred
function or pious exercise taking place during the 23rd World Youth
Day, including its solemn conclusion, so that, having received the
sacrament of reconciliation and being truly repentant, they receive
holy Communion and devoutly pray according to the intentions of His
Holiness.
"The partial indulgence is granted to the faithful,
wherever they are during the above-mentioned meeting, if, at least
with a contrite spirit, they will raise their prayer to God the Holy
Spirit, so that young people are drawn to charity and given the
strength to proclaim the Gospel with their life.
"So that all the faithful may more easily obtain
these heavenly gifts, priests who have received legitimate approval to
hear sacramental confessions, should welcome them with a ready and
generous spirit and suggest public prayers to the faithful, for the
success of the same World Youth Day."
