A JUBILEE COMPLETE INDULGENCE AT JASNA GÓRA
FR. STANISŁAW TOMOŃ, A PAULINE FATHER
On the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the Coronation of the Miraculous Image of Our Lady, on 8 December 2016 Jasna Góra received a special papal gift in the form of the jubilee indulgence. A special Decree was given during the Holy Mass in the Chapel of the Miraculous Image of Our Lady by Fr. Monsignor Krzysztof Nykiel, a regens of the Apostolic Penitentiary. The document emphasizes, among the others, that grace of indulgence can be received by participating in holy ceremonies before coronation of the Image at Jasna Góra. The representative of the Holy See reminded that the jubilee ceremonies connected with the 300th anniversary of the coronation of the Image of Our Lady at Jasna Góra would last till 8 September 2017 – I hope and we must pray for it, that in this way Poles will invite Mary to their homes, families, life anew so that She would really become our Queen, a bridge leading us to God – Fr. Nykiel emphasized. He encouraged us for ‘crowning Mary with the alive crown of our spiritual gifts or particular deeds of mercy, our pure hearts, renewal of life in the spirit of the Gospel, maybe confession after long years, reconciliation with somebody after a long conflict, rejection of alcohol, pornography or maybe, simply, decision of refusing and praying the Rosary’. – We are the diamonds in Her crown - said Fr. Monsignor Nykiel emphasized.
The decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary mentions conditions for gaining grace of complete indulgence. They are: visiting the Sanctuary of Our Lady at Jasna Góra in a pilgrimage and participation in holy ceremonies before the coronation of the Image; humble request to God through Mary for faithfulness of Poland to Christian vocation, for new priestly and convent vocations, for protection of families, the world and the Church, as well as the person of the Holy Father; a praying the Angelus, confessing Faith and praying to Blessed Mary the Virgin, the Queen of Poland for Her care; participating in sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.
Complete indulgence can also be received by elderly, ill people, everybody who cannot leave their homes for serious reasons, but they will unite in desire of spirit with those who are visiting this Sanctuary devoutly. Being in the state of grace, these people should have an intention of fulfilling three ordinary conditions for gaining indulgence(as soon as possible) and say prayers before the image of Our Lady, giving their sufferings and difficulties of their life to merciful God through Mary.
On this solemn day during the Appeal Prayer at Jasna Góra, it was the first time when the jubilee prayer had been said on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the Coronation of Our Lady and the jubilee candle had been lit.
AA
„Niedziela” 51/2016