An indulgence is attached to the work: A PASTORAL VISIT
For Who: Anyone
For When: During a Bishop's Pastoral Visit (or the visit of someone approved and sent on Bishop's behalf)
For Where: At Appropriate Sacred Functions, usually taking place in a Church
Partial or Plenary: Plenary
As written in the Manuel of Indulgences, under Grant 32:
32
A PASTORAL VISIT
A plenary indulgence is granted a single time to the faithful who, during the time of a pastoral visit, assist at the sacred functions over which the visitator presides.
-
This PLENARY Indulgence is basically self-explanatory.
-
A PARTIAL Indulgence, though not explicitly mentioned, is assumed to be granted to those who attempt to gain a plenary indulgence but they fail to obtain it. Some examples of what this may look like are:
1) When one attends a second (being more than a single) sacred function.
2) The other conditions necessary to gain a Plenary Indulgence are less than fulfilled.
3) One’s state of heart is contrite, but not fully detached from affections towards sin.
4) Though qualifiable in every other way, a Plenary Indulgence has already been obtained for that day in another way.
-
Examining further, please allow me to address portions of this indulgence so that we may ponder deeper as to what are reasonable perimeters and expectations to have as we attempt to gain this indulgence:
Addressing “a pastoral visit”
A pastoral visit is in reference to a Bishop’s visit to the parishes of his diocese. According to Canon Law 396.1: "A bishop is obliged to visit the diocese annually either in whole or in part, so that he visits the entire diocese at least every five years either personally or, if he has been legitimately impeded, through the coadjutor bishop, an auxiliary, vicar general, episcopal vicar, or another presbyter." This means that, unless some reason prevents it, every parish should expect to see their Bishop (and have this indulgence available through ones own church) at least once every five years.
Addressing “a single time”
This means that, even if a Bishop were to preside over multiple sacred functions, this Plenary indulgence would only be granted once per visit. It does not say whether this indulgence can be received again if you visit another church that the Bishop is visiting, but I’m inclined to think that the indulgence could be applied again since this would be considered a separate visit to a different parish. Just so long as we don’t get carried away, following the Bishop’s visits, just to receive this particular indulgence.
Addressing “assist”
Mentioned here and in other indulgences; to “assist” simply means to partake in. One may “assist” by simple attendance, participation, or actually assisting personally at the event if you have a key roll in the function of the celebration.
Addressing “sacred functions”
Although the first sacred function that comes to mind is the Mass, there are other functions a Bishop may preside over. Namely the Sacraments; from Baptisms, to Confirmations, to Ordinations (All usually involving a Mass anyway) Bishops may find themselves presiding over any of these things when they make a visit, or they may make a special visit specifically for these special evens.
Addressing “(visitator) presides”
Believe it or not, ‘Visitator’ is not a misspelling, but an actual word in the Catholic Church. It means: an official visitor or examiner in the Roman Catholic Church. In this instance this should be the Bishop, or he might send someone on his behalf, who would then carry his authority.
‘Presides’ is defined as follows: be in the position of authority in a meeting or other gathering.
Usually, when a higher authority within the Church visits another area, the higher authority is invited by the local authority to preside over functions. Especially sacramental functions such as the Mass, Baptisms, Confirmations, etc.
Addressing “the faithful”
Although this indulgence is marked for ‘Anyone’, I do question if this is more so meant to apply to those who belong to a respective parish. So that, if one is visiting another church outside of their diocese, would this visit and indulgence would still be available? Or, let’s say for example, if one was to hop around churches so as to line up their visits with the Bishops visits. Would this be applicable for this indulgence? I’m inclined to think that these situations wouldn’t matter, that the indulgence would still be available, but it’s at least worth it to ask the question.
I hope this has been helpful. Indulgences can be a confusing topic so please feel free to leave your thoughts and questions. I hope to address all I can so that we can come to know this hidden gem of the Catholic Faith.
Comments