By Rev. Fr. Dr. Michael Chime
Imagine driving to Holy Ghost Cathedral when a Keke driver brushes your car at the Main Gate near Ogbete Market. He kneels, apologizes, and asks for forgiveness, which you grant. Though forgiven, a yellow scratch remains on your car. At home, you use old engine oil to wipe off the mark.
God forgives us when we genuinely apologize, removing our main punishment. However, even after forgiveness, our actions may leave a “mark” on our hearts or the world, like the yellow dent from the Keke driver. It’s similar to bumping into a wall-apologizing doesn’t erase the scratch.
A Plenary Indulgence is a special gift from God through the Church that helps remove these “marks” left by our sins after forgiveness, It allows us to experience God’s mercy deeply and heal our hearts completely, bringing us closer to God. “Plenary” means complete, thoroughly cleansing sin’s lingering effects.
Here’s a guide to earning this special gift during the Jubilee Year:
Part 1: Preparing Your Heart
Before taking action, ensure your heart is ready:
- Be truly repentant for your sins.
- Commit to avoiding sin, even minor transgressions.
- Cultivate a spirit of love towards God and others.
Part 2: Essential Actions
After heart preparation, complete these three steps:
- Confess to a priest within 20 days before or after the unique action.
- Receive Holy Communion, preferably on the same day as the unique action.
- Pray for the Pope’s intentions (e.g, an Our Father or Hail Mary).
Part 3: Choose a Special Action
Select one or more of these actions during the Jubilee Year:
Pilgrimage to a holy place (e.g., designated Jubilee church or Rome)
Acts of charity and mercy
Sacrifice or penance
Receive a special Jubilee blessing from your bishop
For those unable to travel: Pray and offer your difficulties to God
Note: You can receive one Plenary Indulgence per day for yourself. However, suppose you perform a second act of charity or prayer and receive Holy Communion again on the same day. In that case, you can earn a second Plenary Indulgence for a deceased person in Purgatory.
By preparing your heart, completing essential actions, and choosing a unique action, you open yourself to receiving the gift of a Plenary Indulgence during this Jubilee Year, growing closer to God and experiencing His boundless mercy.
PROPOSALS FOR ENUGU DIOCESAN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
- DIOCESAN-DESIGNATED CHURCHES FOR THE JUBILEE PILGRIMAGES
Agbani Deanery
St. John’s Parish Agbani
Aguobu Owa Deanery
Sacred Heart Parish Iwollo
Emene Deanery
St. Joseph Parish, Emene
Enugu Deanery:
Holy Ghost Cathedral Church, Enugu
Nkwo Nike Deanery
Assumption Parish, Nkwo Nike
Udi Deanery
St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Udi
Other Centers
Pastoral Centre Ugwudinso, Eke
. Maryville Our Lady of Perpetual Help Shrine, Ugwugo Nike
. Upper Room, Emmanuel Town,
. Bigard Memorial Seminary
Jubilee for Priests/Jubilee for the Religious
Likewise, Jubilee for CMO, CWO, CYON and others to hold during their Lenten Recollections at Ugwudinso
Timeline
- Individuals, Families and Groups All through the Year of Jubilee
- Parish Sodalities, Zones and Stations
April to May
- Parishes/Chaplaincies
June to August
- Deaneries
September to October
- Diocese
November to December
A special Mass of the Bishop for Imparting Papal Blessing granting Indulgence on the day of the Marian Rally at Ugwugo Nike
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