In the United States, we live under the impression that spiritual renewal, indulgences, and unique graces don't happen to us. One must travel across the seas to discover places of pilgrimage and serenity.
In fact, I remember in college, while studying theology, hearing the stories of Saints from long ago. They were inspirational, yet sometimes out of touch or seemingly far away. Visionaries like St. Bernadette were in France, St. Therese of Lisieux and her family were all in her small countryside town, and I had travelled to see St. Catherine of Sienna's body in Rome while her head remained in Sienna (crazy Catholic things, right?). The common denominator here: they were all far away.
Yet, in this Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church, we are reminded that spiritual inspiration is near to all of us. Each person is invited to experience a new perspective on faith and rejoice within the Church. We are proud to be Catholic because our faith is one of joy, fulfillment, and long standing tradition. We use the building blocks of our Church Fathers to continue to live out the faith day by day in our own path to sainthood.
The Pardon of St. Francis
The St. Francis of Assisi Shrine in San Francisco, CA reminded me of our call to mission and sainthood. St. Francis lived in the 1200's, all the way in another country, yet we still celebrate him in the United States. His call to Sainthood inspired many others in his spirituality. To this day, we honor him and look to him for spiritual guidance in how he lived his life.
To remind us of this, the St. Francis of Assisi Shrine dedicates many side statues within the
Church to Saints who adopted the Franciscan Spirituality, but made it their own based on God's mission for them. Sts. Padre Pio, Anthony of Padua, Rita of Cascia, and royal Saints like St. Louis, King of France and St. Elizabeth of Hungary all remind us that one seed of faith, one "yes" to God, can bear fruit for centuries.
Visiting the Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi can gain a plenary indulgence for the pilgrim on their day of choosing. The Shrine is known for the Porziuncola Plenary Indulgence, as they have an exact replica of the Porziuncola Church built by St. Francis himself.
St. Francis saw the need for people in Europe to receive an indulgence like they would get from visiting the Holy Land. He knew that many people couldn't make that pilgrimage in his day, and so he built the Porziuncula so that pilgrims could come and receive greater graces necessary for faith. St. Francis said of this space:
“See to it, my sons, that you never abandon this place. If you are driven out from one side, go back in at the other. For this place is truly holy and is the dwelling place of God. Here, when we were but a few, the Most High gave us increase; here he enlightened the hearts of his poor ones by the light of his wisdom; here he set our wills on afire with the flame of his love. Here he who prays with a devout heart will obtain what he prays for and he who offends will be punished more severely. Wherefore, my sons, consider this dwelling place of God to be worthy of all honour, and with all your, with voice of joy, and praise, give glory to the Lord in this place.”
--(Words of the dying St. Francis, Celano 1, n. 106)
What is a plenary indulgence?
“An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints.”
“An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin.” Indulgences may be applied to the living or the dead."
Essentially: A plenary indulgence (an act of forgiveness) removes mortal and venial sins from the soul, as well as the punishment for them (such as time in purgatory). It makes the soul as new as a baptized infant--it is a POWERFUL grace!
This comes from the merits of Jesus, they cannot be bought but experienced through His grace. The soul must be in sorrow for their sins, and seek true forgiveness through the indulgence. It is NOT a free pass, as a requirement for the indulgence is to work to be completely detached from sin.
The conditions to receive a plenary indulgence (for oneself or for a departed soul) are:
Sacramental Confession to be in God’s sanctifying grace *(to be received within eight days before or after initiate “appeal” for the Plenary Indulgence);
Participation in the Holy Mass with reception of the Holy Eucharist.
Visit to a Catholic Church, followed by the Profession of FAITH (Nicene Creed or Apostles Creed),
Recite the OUR FATHER, in order to reaffirm and give witness to one’s Christian dignity, as a child of God, that one received in Baptism;
Pray for the Pope’s intentions: as Vicar of Christ, Shepherd of the Universal Church, and visible sign of unity among the Faithful
In this Jubilee Year, each diocese across the world is required to display and recognize certain sites in their areas for places of pilgrimage. By visiting these sites and working towards the requirements for a plenary indulgence, you, too, may receive this grace!
The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi is open year round, and you can receive an indulgence once a year, on the day of your choosing when you come visit!
Visit the Shrine: https://shrinesf.org
Watch The Everyday Saint Video Tour:
Listen to The Everyday Saint Podcast about the Shrine:
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