June 29th is a very special day in terms of indulgences! That is, June 29 is the
Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul the Apostles.
This is important because a multitude of Grants may be applied to this day! Starting, let look at the Plenary indulgences that may apply.
Grant 14 on Article of Devotion says- A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who, on the Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, make prayerful use of an article of devotion, as defined by Norm 15, that has been blessed by the Supreme Pontiff or by any bishop, provided the faithful also make a Profession of Faith using any legitimate formula.
The articles that may be blessed for this plenary indulgence are “a crucifix or cross, rosary, scapular, or medal.” So, if you have any of these articles and they are not yet blessed by a bishop (or the Pope) you may want to consider getting it blessed in anticipation for this solemnity. If it is already blessed by a deacon or priest (good for daily partial indulgences, but not a plenary indulgence) it’s fine to have it blessed again (by the appropriate authorities) so that it may also apply under this Grant 14. Blessings neither add to nor subtract from blessings that have come before or after so it's okay to get it blessed more then once.
If you do not have an appropriately blessed article and likely won't have it blessed in time for this solemnity, no problem! There’s other opportunities for Plenary indulgences on this day!
Grant 33 on Visiting Sacred Places says- A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who visit, and there devoutly recite an Our Father and the Creed,… at a minor basilica, cathedral churches on the solemnity of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
A minor basilica is considered to be most any basilica except for the Patriarchal ones. Also, most diocese have a cathedral church (where the chair of the bishop is found). Visiting any church of this type on this day would provide the opportunity for an indulgence.
Grant 33 on Visiting Sacred Places ALSO says- A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who visit, and there devoutly recite an Our Father and the Creed,…at a minor basilica, cathedral church, an international, national, or diocesan shrine established by competent authority, or a parish church... on the solemnity of its Titular... or a church or an oratory of institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life, on the liturgical memorial of their founder
(These Titulars and/or Founders are: The “patron” of a sacred place, especially a church, whose name it bears.)
This indulgence (this particular portion of this Grant) is open on other days, and to other locations, and to other titular/founders, however this grant on this day provides an open door that allows for a Plenary indulgence to be gained, essentially, through visiting any ecclesial building named in honor/under the patronage of St. Peter and/or St. Paul. So, If there is a church, shrine, or minor basilica named after St. Peter, St. Paul, or both of them, one could visit that dedicated building.
Moving to Partial Indulgences:
Grant 21 on Prayers honoring Saints and Blesseds says- A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who on the memorial of any saint listed in the calendar recite in that saint’s honor the prayer taken from the Missal or another one approved by legitimate authority.
This indulgence (this portion of this Grant) is open on other days and to other saints. However, on this Solemnity, prayers said in honor of St. Peter, St. Paul, or in honor of both of them will provide a partial indulgence.
Grant 20 on Prayers honoring Peter and Paul says- A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who devoutly recite the prayer Sancti Apostoli Petre et Paule.
Sancti Apostoli Petre et Paule
Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, intercede for us. Guard your people, who rely on the patronage of your apostles Peter and Paul, O Lord, and keep them under your continual protection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
This indulgence is available any other days, and it does not necessarily holds additional value on this solemnity, however, on this day it may possibly be said as the prayer that satisfies Grant 21 as well as Grant 20.
Can two partial indulgences be satisfied by a single action? Not sure. I have yet to find an answer to that (since usually even indulgences that are closely related in time or practice have different factors that they rely on). Furthermore, certainly reciting other prayer for Sts. Peter and Paul on this day would be admirable, and/or praying this prayer repeatedly thought out the day would be beneficial, since partial indulgences may be repeated within a day anyway.
These are the indulgences available on this particular day! As far as I’m aware, this day offers the most plenary indulgence opportunities of any date or event.
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.
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