Posted on 02/13/2009 1:55:39 PM PST by NYer
.- Celebrating the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the Vatican City State, Pope Benedict attended a concert featuring both a choral and orchestra from Dublin, Ireland. Afterwards, the Holy Father addressed the audience and prayed that God would continue to watch over the small state.
The concert took place last night at the Paul VI Hall, and featured a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” by Our Lady’s Chorale Society and the RTE Concert Orchestra, both from Dublin, Ireland. The concert was part of a series of events organized to commemorate the anniversary, with the theme: “A small territory for a great mission.”
After the concert concluded, the Holy Father expressed his gratitude for the celebration saying, “I would like to thank all the people who have contributed to solemnize such an important moment for the Catholic Church.” Reflecting on the past 80 years of the city-state’s existence, he added that it is also important to pay tribute to the chief “protagonists” throughout “these eight decades of history of this small parcel of land.”
The Pontiff then recalled “the most important of those protagonists,” the venerated Pius XI who, “in announcing the signing of the Lateran Pacts and, especially, the foundation of Vatican City State, chose to use an expression of St. Francis of Assisi. He said that the new sovereign status was for the Church, as it had been for St. Francis, 'just enough body to hold the soul together’.”
The Holy Father then asked the Lord, who “guides the fortunes of the 'Ship of Peter' among the not-always easy events of history, to continue to watch over this small State.”
“Above all,” he continued, “let us ask Him to help, with the power of His Spirit, Peter's Successor who stands at the helm of this ship, that he may faithfully and effectively undertake his ministry as the foundation of unity of the Catholic Church, which has its visible center in the Vatican whence it expands to all the corners of the earth."
Our prayers for the Holy Father!
I read that Plenary Indulgences were just reinstated.
They never went away.
Plenary Indulgences were never abandonned. The sale of indulgences was outlawed.
What I meant to say, was that I just read (sorry no source, maybe it was false) that the sale has been re-allowed.
No way. Never. If you read that it was in some anti-Catholic rag.
I'm guessing you are referring to this other thread - Pro-Abortion Nancy Pelosi to Meet Pope - HLI Says "Excommunicate the Speaker", which clearly states:
It has not been determined when Ms. Pelosi plans to meet the Pope.
It's important to read the entire thread, not just the title. The media love nothing better than to whip up the crowds.
You wrote:
“What I meant to say, was that I just read (sorry no source, maybe it was false) that the sale has been re-allowed.”
Impossible. They were never ALLOWED to be sold in the first place.
Don’t get hung up on the money part of it.
FYI I don’t read anti-Catholic rags. I saw the article somewhere online and read it quickly - was disappointed in that it indicated the plenary indulgences are once again ok to be sold.
Perhaps it was incorrect, or perhaps I misunderstood.
There are many acts which carry a plenary indulgence today. None of them cost any money. For example, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for at least 30 minutes is an indulgenced act. Devout recitation of the Rosary in a church, or with a family or religious congregation is also an indulgenced act. Reading the Bible for 30 minutes is an indulgenced act. There are many others.
Gaining an indulgence also requires: (1) a good confession within a week prior to the act; (2) the devout reception of Holy Communion on that day; (3) prayers for the intention of the Pope (typically just an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be); and (the toughest condition) (4) freedom from all attachment to sin whether venial or mortal. If condition #4 is not fully present, the indulgence will be a partial one.
No money is involved, ever.
Thank you for the clarification.
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