As part of our celebration of this Jubilee Year there will be the opportunity, as you know, for the gaining of the Jubilee Indulgence. A number of clergy have expressed their concern that the teaching on Indulgences be clearly understood by people in anticipation of the Deanery Pilgrimages to Arundel Cathedral. Its certainly true that historically there has been confusion over this matter. As well as directing you to the clear and concise explanation in
The Catechism of the Catholic Church [1471-79] I offer a few thoughts to help avoid misunderstanding.
The Catholic tradition on Indulgences is inseparable from our understanding of forgiveness and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We have always taught that prayer and the spiritual life involve the whole person body and soul. This is why physical actions such as signing the cross or undertaking a penance are as much "prayers" as our words and thoughts. We also believe that as Christians we are never isolated individuals but members of the community of the Church, the Body of Christ. In some real but mysterious way this membership of Christs Body allows us, through our prayers and good deeds, to co-operate with Christ in the work of our salvation. Because the unity we share within the Communion of Saints is so strong we can share in each others prayers and good works. They are a "treasury" to which we have access.
An Indulgence is the Church, as Christs Body, drawing on that "treasury" and giving to an act, performed as an outward expression of our repentance, a greater value than it would otherwise have. The Indulgence can be gained for ourselves or for the Faithful Departed, but is always to be seen in this context of the mystery of salvation being worked out in the whole Body of Christ. In this Jubilee Year it is one way in which we can express something of our desire for change and reconciliation with God and with each other.
As you may already be aware the conditions for gaining the Jubilee Indulgence are: celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation; participation in the Eucharist; a visit to Arundel Cathedral as the designated Church; the recitation of the Creed, the Our Father, and a Prayer to our Lady. The Deanery Pilgrimages to Arundel will provide an opportunity for many people to undertake this spiritual journey. It is important to emphasise that the Indulgence may also be gained by a pilgrimage to the Rome Basilicas or indeed "at any place where, at a suitable time, a visit is made to a brother or sister in need or difilculty; whether sick or imprisoned, whether aged, lonely or handicapped, seeing in such a visit a pilgrimage towards Christ himself who is present in the needy" [Papal Bull of Indiction]
