The Year for Priests Plenary Indulgence

"Shortly the day will come on which will be commemorated as the 150th anniversary of the pious departure to Heaven of St. John Mary Vianney, the Curé d'Ars. This Saint was a wonderful model here on earth of a true Pastor at the service of Christ's flock.

Since his example is used to encourage the faithful, and especially priests, to imitate his virtues, the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI has established that, for this occasion, a special Year for Priests will be celebrated, from 19 June 2009 to 19 June 2010, in which all priests may be increasingly strengthened in fidelity to Christ with devout meditation, spiritual exercises and other appropriate actions."

Please pray for all of our priests, that they may be strengthened and purified to lead the people of the Church.

For the Year of the Priest, a Plenary Indulgence is granted to all the faithful who are truly repentant who, in church or in chapel,

• devoutly attend the divine Sacrifice of Mass and
• offer prayers to jesus Christ the Eternal High Priest, for the priests of the Church, and any other good work which they have done on that day, so that he may sanctify them and form them in accordance with His Heart, as long as they have
• made expiation for their sins through sacramental confession and
• prayed in accordance with the Supreme Pontiff's intentions: on the days in which the Year for Priests begins and ends, on the day of the 150th anniversary of the pious passing of St. John Mary Vianney (4 August 2009), on the first Thursday of the month, or on any other day established by the local Ordinaries for the benefit of the faithful.

A Plenary Indulgence will likewise be granted to the elderly, the sick and all those who for any legitimate reason are confined to their homes who, with a mind detached from any sin and with the intention of fulfilling as soon as possible the three usual conditions, at home or wherever their impediment detains them, provided that on the above mentioned days they recited prayers for the sanctification of priests and confidently offer the illnesses and hardships of their lives to God through Mary Queen of Apostles.