(information and instructions)
On the occasion of the 450th anniversary of the birth of Saint Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi, a Carmelite, the General Prior of our order declared a jubilee year and requested the Holy Father for the possibility of obtaining plenary indulgences. The Apostolic Penitentiary responded positively, and the bishops of our dioceses agreed on specifying in which individual churches and chapels (see below) the indulgences can be obtained.
You can find a detailed article on Saint Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi in the magazine Carmel No. 1, 2007 edition. Other texts are available on the websites www.karmel.cz and www.bosekarmelitky.cz. A brief biography of her is provided on the day of her feast (May 25) in the breviary or missal for each day. To not only stay with the instructions, let me mention at least two quotations of her words that have yet to be translated into English.
The purity of the soul is important
What does the soul that has this purity think of? It thinks of nothing but in purity, it desires nothing but in purity, it does not wish to remember or boast, except in purity, it does not taste, desires nothing, loves nothing, finds joy in nothing, except purely.
(CO2 408)
Union with Jesus in love
I saw that Jesus was giving me His holy wounds: on my hands, on my feet, and on my right side He sent rays that seemed like fire and pierced right to the middle, where the edges of the wounds were, in such a way that they left a mark.
And immediately all pain and sadness left me, and I felt happy to see those wounds on myself. And He always let me see them, although outwardly they did not show, which I like very much.
And then I saw that the uniting love completely united me with Jesus, and when I was fully united with Jesus, I could do nothing but immerse myself in the goodness and love that God brings to the soul. And in this ecstasy I remained until five o'clock; but what I experienced, I could never express even in the slightest.
(QG 212)
CONDITIONS
FOR OBTAINING PLENARY INDULGENCES
within the jubilee year of the 450th anniversary of the birth of Saint Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi
APRIL 2, 2016 – MAY 25, 2017
To obtain a plenary indulgence, it is necessary,
in addition to excluding the slightest inclination to sin,
even in light matters,
to fulfill three conditions:
- to receive the sacrament of reconciliation
- to receive Holy Communion
- to pray for the intentions of the Holy Father
These three conditions for obtaining a plenary indulgence can be fulfilled several days before or after the prescribed act to obtain the indulgence; however, it is advisable that Holy Communion and prayer for the Pope's intention be performed on the same day.
To visit the church or chapel in a pilgrimage manner
In the Archdiocese of Prague:
- Church of St. Havel in the Old Town of Prague
- Parish Church of St. Fabián and Šebestián in Prague-Liboc
- Chapel of the Carmelite Convent in Prague-Liboc
In the Archdiocese of Olomouc:
- Parish Church of St. Cyril and Methodius in Olomouc-Hejčín
- Chapel of Our Lady at the Parish Church of St. Cyril and Methodius in Olomouc-Hejčín
- Parish Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Štípa
- Chapel of St. Elijah in the monastery of the Carmelite Sisters of the Institute of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Štípa
In the Diocese of Brno:
- Parish and Pilgrimage Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Kostelní Vydří
- Chapel of St. Elijah in the monastery of the Carmelites in Kostelní Vydří
and to pray there:
- for fidelity to the Christian vocation
- for the obtaining of priestly and religious vocations
- for the defense of the family
- Our Father
- Apostles' Creed
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel, intercede for us!
- Saint Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi, intercede for us!
The sick and those who cannot visit the mentioned churches and chapels,
can also obtain plenary indulgences on any day of the jubilee year if they fulfill the above conditions and prayers and make a spiritual pilgrimage in their heart to the designated church or chapel, where Saint Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi is publicly venerated, and trustingly offer the merciful God the pains and sufferings of their life.
An indulgence is the remission of temporal punishment before God for sins that have already been forgiven in terms of guilt. An indulgence can be obtained by one who has been baptized and is in a state of grace at least at the end of the prescribed acts. Every believer can obtain indulgences for themselves or for the deceased.
Plenary indulgences can be obtained at any time (even outside the jubilee year) also in other ways.
It is always necessary to fulfill the three usual conditions (Holy Communion, confession, and prayer for the Pope's intentions).
Furthermore, it is required to perform the prescribed act, such as praying the rosary in the church or chapel, communal rosary prayers (anywhere), half an hour of reading God's word or meditating on it, a half-hour adoration of the Most Holy Sacrament.
