Saturday February 27, 2016

Cristo Rei (Christ the King)

3495 Confederation Parkway, Mississauga, ON

December 8, 2015 – November 20, 2016

Year of Mercy

The Spiritual Works of Mercy are acts of compassion, by which we help others with their emotional and spiritual needs.

counsel the doubtful

instruct the ignorant

admonish sinners

comfort the afflicted

forgive offenses

bear wrongs patiently

pray for the living and the dead

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

The Corporal Works of Mercy are these kind acts by which we help others with their material and physical needs.

feed the hungry

give drink to the thirsty

clothe the naked

shelter the homeless

visit the sick

visit the imprisoned

bury the dead

The Corporal Works of Mercy

What is an indulgence?

An indulgence is one way for the faithful to reduce the punishment they have to undergo for their forgiven sins. Its root is in the Latin indulgentia, which means a show of kindness, as well as indulgere, which means to forgive.

“An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin.” The faithful can gain indulgences for themselves or apply them to the dead.

Indulgence - FAQ

Why do indulgences exist?

Christians are called to "be perfect, just as your Heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48). The process of sanctification requires not only the forgiveness of sins (confession) but also purification from the harmful affects of sin. This is why the Church firmly teaches the existence of purgatory, as "nothing unclean" can enter Heaven (Revelation 21:27).

The Church exists in communion and thus the path to purification is never solitary. Different actions can help in our purification, such as the sacraments, engaging in spiritual works, and, in this case, the use of indulgences.

Indulgence - FAQ

What types of indulgences are available?

In current Catholic discipline there are two types of indulgences available: plenary and partial. A partial indulgence is one that partially frees from the punishment due for sins; a plenary indulgence totally frees from the punishment due for sins.

Indulgence - FAQ

Can I apply an indulgence for someone else?

Any member of the faithful can gain partial or plenary indulgences for themselves or apply them for a deceased member of the Christian faithful.

While Church history has admitted one member of the Christian faithful applying an indulgence to another living member of the Christian faithful, this is not currently contained in the Church's canonical discipline (see c. 994).

Indulgence - FAQ

What are the criteria for getting an indulgence?

To gain an indulgence, there are four basic criteria:

Be baptized;

Be in a state of grace (i.e. free from mortal sin);

Have the intention to receive the indulgence;

Perform the required work or prayer.

Indulgence - FAQ

What are the criteria for getting an indulgence?

Further, plenary indulgences have three additional criteria:

Not be excommunicated;

Have no attachment to sin, even venial sin;

Receive the sacraments of Confession and Eucharist and pray for the Pope's intentions within the designated period of time

Indulgence - FAQ

Can baptized non-Catholics receive indulgences?

Yes, baptized Catholics can receive partial indulgences if they fulfil the required criteria. However, since plenary indulgences have the requirements of making use of the sacraments, under normal circumstances baptized non-Catholics are unable to fulfil the necessary conditions to obtain the indulgence.

Indulgence - FAQ

How long do I have to go to confession or communion?

Historically, the Christian faithful had to satisfy this condition as early as noon prior to performing the act and up to eight days following. However, current Church discipline allows either twenty days before or after the specified act.

Indulgence - FAQ

What are other ways to get an indulgence?

There are many other ways to obtain an indulgence. Some of these are "general grants", meaning they do not include specific actions. These are four-fold and are all partial indulgences:

Indulgence - FAQ

What are other ways to get an indulgence cont’d?

These are four-fold and are all partial indulgences:

In the course of daily duties and difficulties of life, raising thoughts to God and piously invoking His assistance

Giving of one's self or their goods in compassionate service to those in need

In a spirit of penance, freely abstaining from something that is otherwise licit (e.g. Fasting from meat on a Monday);

In an open witness to faith, render a sign of belief to others (e.g. Saying grace before meals in a restaurant, wearing a cross, etc.).

Indulgence - FAQ

What are other ways to get an indulgence cont’d?

Some ways of obtaining a partial indulgence include:

Making use of blessed objects in prayer;

Praying for Christian unity;

Praying one of the following prayers to the Blessed Virgin: the Magnificat, the Angelus, the Maria, Mater gratiae, the Salve Regina, the Santa Maria succerre nobis, and the Sub tuum praesidium;

Invoking the help of one's guardian angel;

Indulgence - FAQ

What are other ways to get an indulgence cont’d?

Some ways of obtaining a partial indulgence include cont’d:

Praying for benefactors;

Post-communion hymns of thanksgiving;

Singing Eucharistic hymns (e.g. Tantum ergo, etc.).

Prayer to St Joseph;

Praying for pastors.

Indulgence - FAQ

What are other ways to get an indulgence cont’d?

Some ways of obtaining a plenary indulgence include:

Praying the rosary in a church or oratory, in a family gathering, within a religious community or canonical association of the Christian faithful, or in any context in which the faithful come together for this purpose;

Spending at least half an hour in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament;

Praying the stations of the cross at a location where they are legitimately erected (e.g. a parish or shrine);

Indulgence - FAQ

What are other ways to get an indulgence cont’d ?

Some ways of obtaining a plenary indulgence include:

Participating in a preaching mission at a parish (e.g. during Advent or Lent);

Reading the Bible for at least thirty minutes.

Visiting a special site of pilgrimage. In the Archdiocese of Toronto, the Shrine to the Martyrs in Midland has been a site where pilgrims can obtain a plenary indulgence since 1644.

Indulgence - FAQ

How many indulgences can I obtain?

Plenary indulgences can only be obtained once daily. Further, the act of going to Confession and Communion can only be applied to a single indulgence. This means that if you want to receive a plenary indulgence two days in a row, you must also make two separate acts of approaching the sacraments.

Indulgence - FAQ

Where can I read more about indulgences?

The current catalogue of indulgences was last updated in 1999 by the Apostolic Penitentiary and is called the Enchiridion indulgentiarum. This Latin text is available in English translation from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Blessed Pope Paul VI revised the current discipline on indulgences substantially after the Second Vatican Council in a 1967 document called Indulgentiarum doctrina. This is available on the Vatican website.

Indulgence - FAQ

Holy Doors in the Archdiocese of Toronto

A Holy Door is a special door in a cathedral, basilica or other parish of special significance that becomes a pilgrimage site during a Jubilee Year. These are usually celebrated every 25 years, although the Pope can designate a Jubilee Year at other times, such as St. Pope John Paul II in 1983 and Pope Francis for the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Walking through the Holy Door during a Jubilee Year is one of the conditions for receiving a Jubilee Indulgence.

What is a Holy Door

St. Paul's Basilica 83 Power Street, Toronto

St. Patrick's Parish 131 McCaul St., Toronto

Merciful Redeemer Parish 2775 Erin Centre Blvd., Mississauga

St. Anthony of Padua Parish 940 North Park Dr., Bramalea

St. Patrick's Parish 11873 The Gore Rd., Brampton

St. Theresa's Parish 2559 Kingston Rd., Scarborough

The Martyrs' Shrine 16163 Highway 12 West, Midland

The Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Marylake 13760 Keele St., King City

St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish (Chapel Doors) 4260 Cawthra Rd., Mississauga

Holy Doors in the Archdiocese of Toronto

National Council Projects: Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy brochure and pledge cards are now available on the National website cwl.ca.

League Year of Mercy Projects

Provincial Council Saint Project: Each diocese and standing committee have chosen saints or blessed that they will emulate during the year as outlined in the respective directives on the Provincial website cwl.on.ca.

Provincial Standing Committees Saints of Blessed

Toronto: Blessed Mother Teresa

Spiritual Development: St. Pierre Fabre

Organization: Saint Louis of Casoria (St. Ludovico da Laudovico)

Resolutions: St. John XXIII

Legislation: St. Laura of St. Catherine of Siena

Communications: José de Anchieta

League Year of Mercy Projects

Provincial Council Saint Project: Each diocese and standing committee have chosen saints or blessed that they will emulate during the year as outlined in the respective directives on the Provincial website cwl.on.ca. Provincial Standing Committees Saints or Blessed - Christian Family Life: St. Maria Cristina of the Immaculate Conception - Community Life: St. Joseph Vaz - Corresponding Secretary - Education on Health: Saint Francoise de Laval - Newsletter: St. Francis de Sales - Recording Secretary: Angela da Foligno - Treasurer: St. Jeanne-Emilie de Villeneuve - Past President: Junipero Serra

League Year of Mercy Projects

Toronto Diocesan Council Project: Blessed Mother Teresa Project to Seek Indulgences for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy

Project Overview The Ontario Provincial CWL asked each diocese to choose a saint or a blessed

to become more familiar with and to pray for their canonization. The Blessed Mother Theresa was chosen for the Toronto Diocesan Council.

We are also asked to become familiar with and use the Spiritual and Corporal

Works of Mercy to illustrate the ways that charity is shown towards others in the activities undertaken by the council during the year.

League Year of Mercy Projects

Project Deadline

1. The Year of Mercy Projects are to take place for the duration of the Jubilee year, however completed projects may be displayed at the Toronto Diocesan Annual Convention May 5 and May 6, 2016.

2. Assemble supporting documentation such as photographs, display boards, newspaper articles and testimonials, to build your display.

3. Inform your Regional Chair by March 31, 2016 if your council will

have a display during the Toronto Diocesan Convention.

Year of Mercy Convention Project Displays

Project Deadline

1. The Year of Mercy Projects are to take place for the duration of the Jubilee year, however completed projects may be displayed at the Toronto Diocesan Annual Convention May 5 and May 6, 2016.

2. Assemble supporting documentation such as photographs, display boards, newspaper articles and testimonials, to build your display.

3. Inform your Regional Chair by March 31, 2016 if your council will

have a display during the Toronto Diocesan Convention.

Year of Mercy Convention Project Displays

“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.”

“Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.”

“Live simply so others may simply live.”

“God doesn’t require us to succeed, he only requires that you try.”

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”

Quotes by Mother Teresa

“Today I ask you in the name of Christ and the Church, never tire of being merciful.”

“Situations can change; people can change. Be the first to seek to bring good. Do not grow accustomed to evil, but defeat it with good.” “Situations can change; people can change. Be the first to seek to bring good. Do not grow accustomed to evil, but defeat it with good.”

“Our faith in Christ, who became poor, and was always close to the poor and the outcast, is the basis of our concern for the integral development of society’s most neglected members.”

“Being with” Christ does not mean isolating ourselves from others. Rather, it is a “being with” in order to go forth and encounter others.” “Being with” Christ does not mean isolating ourselves from others. Rather, it is a “being with” in order to go forth and encounter others.”

Quotes on Mercy by Pope Francis

Lord Jesus Christ,

you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him.

Show us your face and we will be saved.

Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his betrayal,

and assured Paradise to the repentant thief.

Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman: “If you knew the gift of God!”

Prayer of Pope Francis for the Jubilee

You are the visible face of the invisible Father,

the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy:

let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified.

You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness

in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error:

let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God.

Prayer of Pope Francis for the Jubilee

Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord,

and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed,

and restore sight to the blind.

We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy; you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

Amen

Prayer of Pope Francis for the Jubilee

The Vatican Jubilee of Mercy website www.iubilaeummisericordiae.va The Year of Mercy book series Year of Mercy Book Package

https://www.osv.com/Shop/Product?ProductCode=T1739 Prayer of Pope Francis for the Jubilee

http://www.iubilaeummisericordiae.va/content/gdm/en/giubileo/preghiera.html The Mystery of Divine Indwelling (Released Easter 2015)

http://www.theupperroomhomeofprayer.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=29

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops http://www.cccb.ca/site/eng/media-room/4356-official-opening-of-the-extraordinary-jubilee-of-mercy

League Websites National Catholic Women's League http://cwl.ca/ Ontario Provincial Catholic Women's League http://www.cwl.on.ca/ Toronto Diocesan Council http://www.cwltoronto.ca/

Year of Mercy Resources

Contact your Regional Chairs

or

2015 – 2017 Spiritual Development Chair

Toronto Diocesan Council

Presentation Handouts