Pilgrims of Hope

Pope Francis has granted special Indulgences to the faithful who observe and take part in the celebration of the Jubilee of Hope. By participating in any Pilgrimage to the designated Jubilee pilgrimage sites, and while fulfilling the usual conditions (see below), one may gain this special Indulgence once per day (or twice if the second is applied to the souls in Purgatory). The Pilgrimage could be by an individual, or it could be a group of the faithful from the parish. St. Gianna is one of the sites designated as a pilgrimage site in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Others can be found on the Archdiocesan Jubilee of Hope website.

What must one do in order to receive this special Indulgence?

First, the following conditions must be met in order to receive the indulgence:

• Receive forgiveness of sin through the Sacrament of Confession
• Be nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ at the Sacrament of Holy Communion
• Pray for the intentions of the Pope (usually with an Our Father)
• Be free from any attachment to sin

Once the conditions are met, there are various ways to obtain the indulgence:
1. Through a pilgrimage* to one of the designated sites (including St. Gianna) and while there, participating in any or all of the following:

• Holy Mass
• Liturgy of the Hours
• Stations of the Cross
• Celebration of the Word of God (Liturgy of the Word)
• Rosary
• Sacramental Confession

2. Through a pious visit* to a pilgrimage site (including St. Gianna) and while there, devoutly engaging in Eucharistic adoration and concluding with the Our Father, a profession of faith, and invocations to Mary

3. By performing works of mercy and penance in a church or other suitable place, the works include:

• participating in popular missions (e.g. the parish Lenten mission)
• performing spiritual exercises (i.e. a structured method of prayer, meditation, and reflection aimed at deepening one's relationship with God.)
• studying the Catechism of the Catholic Church
• formation activities on the documents of Vatican II (e.g. reading the documents produced by the Council, with commentary, such as Lumen Gentium, Gaudium et Spes, or Dignitatis Humanae)

   
* - A pilgrimage is a dedicated visit to a sacred site with a spiritual focus and intention, often meant to deepening your faith. A "pious visit" is simply a visit with a general sense of devotion.

Those who for various reasons cannot participate in a Pilgrimage or visit, particularly the sick and people who are elderly and alone, can obtain the Jubilee indulgence, provided the conditions above are first met, if united in spirit with the faithful who take part in person and offering their suffering to God, they pray the Our Father, the Creed, and other prayers of devotion to Mary.