Corrections Ministries / Deacon John Cord
Those incarcerated can receive plenary indulgence during jubilee year
Immediately after Pope Francis opened the first Holy Door on Dec. 24 at St. Peter’s Basilica to start the Jubilee Year, whose theme is “Pilgrims of Hope,” he travelled to Rebibbia prison complex in Rome. The Holy Father wanted the second holy door to be opened at a prison.
During his homily there, he told the people who are incarcerated that the open door was a symbol for them to open their hearts to the love of Christ. He explained that having an open heart gives us hope. Pope Francis gives us a great example of how we on the outside can lift up our incarcerated sisters and brothers. Our hope can be their hope.
The Vatican has given us some very concrete ways that the incarcerated can receive a plenary indulgence. They are asked to join in spirit and prayer with those on the outside who can pray with them and for them. They are also asked to study from the Catechism of the Catholic Church or from the documents from the Second Vatican Council and reflect on them. In addition, when and if the sacraments are available, they should receive the sacrament of reconciliation and receive holy Communion. And they are to strive to turn away from all sin, even venial sins.
If you are involved in jail or prison ministry, please educate the people you visit about the jubilee year. Please teach them about what a plenary indulgence is: the remission of consequences after life for sins already forgiven. Let them know that if they follow the steps above, they can receive this grace. Let them know they are loved by the pope, and they are loved by all who work with the incarcerated.
For the rest of us, even if we don’t visit a jail or prison, we can lift the incarcerated by praying for them during Mass. If we pray for the incarcerated while we receive holy Communion, we are joining ourselves to them to help them receive this grace.
We can also receive a plenary indulgence. Special pilgrimage sites have been designated in Rome and dioceses around the world. In the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, three locations have been designated as jubilee pilgrimage sites:
—SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1347 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis.
—The Shrine of St. Mother Theodore Guérin and the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 1 Sisters of Providence Road, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, St. Mary of the Woods.
—The Archabbey Church of Our Lady of Einsiedeln at Saint Meinrad Archabbey, 200 Hill Dr., St. Meinrad.
An indulgence can be obtained by visiting one of these sites and participating in Mass or any other public prayer, a time of adoration or a rosary while there, in addition to meeting other plenary indulgence requirements. We should join ourselves as if we were on pilgrimage with everyone who desires to engage in this jubilee year.
Pope Francis has also given us concrete actions that we can do this year to receive the grace of a plenary indulgence. One of these is to visit those on the margins and learn how we can help them. The marginalized include the homeless, the incarcerated, the mentally ill, the addicted and more. For more in-depth information
on plenary indulgences during the jubilee year, visit www.archindy.org/jubilee/indulgence.html.
I think this is such a beautiful request from the pope. When we interact face to face with people, we get to know them. By getting to know them, we realize that their struggles are our own struggles. I can’t count how many times I have witnessed someone interact with a struggling person, and both people are forever changed. It is always beautiful.
Please join Pope Francis in this jubilee year as a “pilgrim of hope.” You will gain so much, and the people’s lives you pray for and touch will also receive many graces.
(Deacon John Cord is the coordinator of Corrections Ministry for the archdiocese. For more information on supporting the office’s re-entry ministry, contact Deacon Cord at 317-432-6604 or e-mail jcord@archindy.org.) †