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More on Plenary Indulgence . . . As mentioned in last week’s bulletin in the article entitled “What is a Plenary Indulgence?”, a question that will arise is why can a minor basilica like St. Mary of the Angels be able to offer a Plenary Indulgence, the blessing and grace which helps remove temporal consequences of sin from a person’s soul from the moment of Baptism to the reception of this special indulgence. A blessing bestowed on a basilica’s title is the attachment of a plenary indulgence to any of the faithful “who devoutly visit the basilica and with it participate in any sacred rite during certain times of the year. One of the rights and duties of a basilica, as it is intimately tied to the papacy and the original basilicas in Rome, is the special honor and celebration of feast days associated with the papacy. The church uses the power of the keys given to St. Peter by Jesus in Scripture (Matthew 16:18-19) “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, * and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Plenary Indulgences are forever linked to the Sacrament of Confession and to what has come to be the remission of punishment -- on earth or in purgatory that can remove temporal consequences still remaining from sins committed. Therefore, even if we have been forgiven of a particular sin through the Sacrament of Confession, we still experience the consequences of that sin in our lives. Like the example given in last week’s message regarding the incident of someone breaking a window, if we do something that breaks the rules of our home, our parents may ground us and not allow us to spend time with others or go out to our favorite places as a consequence of our actions even if our parents have forgiven us. We are given this consequence to help us to realize the seriousness of our decisions and the effects of our actions. However, our parents may see that we understand what we have done as wrong and are sorry for it when we perform certain actions to show that we not only are sorry but we are trying to make amends. In observing this, they may lift the grounding or make it less time served. In this same way, the Church allows, by its authority tied to the keys of heaven given St. Peter in Scripture and the popes in succession, the ability to lift the severity of our sins by our performing of some sacred actions demonstrating our understanding of God’s goodness and mercy (see the next column for the steps needed to receive a Plenary Indulgence). (Next week we will explore the Healing Sacrament of Confession that the Lord has gifted to His people).

The reception of a plenary indulgence is one of the blessings and  graces bestowed on the faithful who visit a  minor basilica on certain days and under particular circumstances in the relationship that the basilica has to the Holy Father and to Rome. The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels celebrates with greater reverence and solemnity those feast days that demonstrate a clear connection between the Church and the ministry of the Holy Father which are listed on page 2). One of the designated days chosen for reception of a   plenary indulgence is our patronal feast day of St. Mary of the Angels, August 2nd. Please join us for our celebration of our feast day in which we celebrate the name of our Basilica and our dear patroness, our Blessed Mother at the 12:15 p.m. Mass.

“Lord, on the day I called for help, You answered me.” Today’s psalmist is thanking God for God’s attentive listening to the psalmist’s pleas for God’s intervention and assistance. Notice that the psalmist speaks of giving public thanks and praise to God, in the presence of angels and in the Temple. Do we publicly attest to our faith in God and gratitude to Him? How might we improve? Then, the psalmist extols God’s kindness and truth, marveling at how God’s kindness and truth, (wisdom) increased the author’s confidence, faith and trust in God. Do we live in truth and justice so that others may have confidence in us? Next, the psalmist celebrates God’s attentiveness and “all-seeing knowing,” how God knows whether we are proud or humble and how God rewards or humbles us, accordingly. Notice that the psalmist’s last statement expresses confidence that God will finish His good work in us. Are we cooperating with God to live out His missions for us?

A Plenary Indulgence is significant because it is the remission of the punishment for all sins committed from the day of Baptism and, like penance in Confession, requires certain actions by the faithful to obtain the spiritual purification of the consequences of past sin since Baptism. Obtaining a plenary indulgence can be made by visiting the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels during the following dates: · June 29—Anniversary of the dedication of the Basilica; Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles (ALL minor basilicas throughout the world are entitled to offer a Plenary Indulgence this day) · August 2—Feast of St. Mary of the Angels · October 4—Feast of St. Francis--once a year on a day determined by the local Ordinary  · February 14—Anniversary of the granting of the title Basilica · Once a year on a day freely chosen by each of the faithful  

John Paul Cygan received the Altar Server Award from Bishop Mike last weekend. Congratulations John Paul!

Our youth attended the Steubenville Youth Conference last weekend with Fr. Peter! It was a life-changing experience!

In today’s Gospel the scholar accurately defines for us what living out the Law means for us. We are to love God with our whole being and love our neighbor as we love ourselves; giving them the same respect, dignity and life-sustaining care that we give ourselves. We’re to serve others as we do ourselves; ensuring that they aren’t merely surviving, but thriving. Jesus is showing us an image of what living out the Law, authentically, looks like, but there’s some irony in the parable that Jesus chooses to share. The irony is that the Good Samaritan is living out the Jewish Law of God better, more completely and sincerely than Jewish people who profess to believe and be bound by that Law. Jesus emphatically tells us to “go and do likewise;” to love and serve God and others, extravagantly! Are we?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus appoints 72 other missionary disciples to spread the Good News about the coming of the Kingdom of God. Reflecting on this, each of these 72 disciples and each person they evangelize “adds to the Light of the Church.” Each converted and confirmed Christian becomes, themselves, a “praise of God’s glory,” via their loving ministries of serving others and proclaiming the faith to them. Jesus offers practical directions for how to be most effective and persuasive missionaries. Jesus instructs them not to carry money, sacks of supplies or sandals. Jesus is telling them that, by doing this, the disciples are giving the example of relying on God and on God’s love and generosity that lies in God’s people. God’s Love, in God’s generous people, gives us something entirely new to ponder this week. How are God’s  Love and generosity being shown in our lives?

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have Mercy on Us Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for Our Dear Country   June 24th was the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and, on that day, our nation received the news that, after nearly 50 years, U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that had recognized a woman's constitutional right to an abortion. In justice Samuel  Alito’s own words: “Abortion presents a profound moral question. The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each State from regulating or prohibiting abortion. Roe and Casey arrogated [took over] that authority. We now overrule those decisions and return that authority to the people and their elected representatives."   May the Hearts of Jesus and Mary bring us freedoms of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness for ALL!