Catholics Can Receive Special Indulgences During Eucharistic Year

From CNS STORY: Catholics can receive special indulgences during eucharistic year:



"Cardinal Stafford said the special eucharistic year indulgences include the normal requirements set by the church for all plenary indulgences: that within a reasonably short period of time, the person goes to confession, receives the Eucharist and prays for the intentions of the pope, all in a spirit of total detachment from the attraction of sin.



Special plenary indulgences, he said, would be given to those who fulfill the normal requirements in conjunction with participating 'with attention and piety in a sacred function or a pious exercise carried out in honor of the Blessed Sacrament, either solemnly exposed or preserved in the tabernacle.'



In addition, he said, those who recite the vespers and compline prayers of the Liturgy of the Hours in a church or chapel where the Eucharist is present in the tabernacle will receive a plenary indulgence.



Cardinal Stafford said that Catholics who because of illness or other serious reason cannot visit a church or chapel could still earn the indulgence if they make the visit 'with the desire of their hearts, in a spirit of faith in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of the altar.' "