Plenary Indulgence Days

The Papal document, Domus Ecclesiae, spells out the specific privileges granted to a minor basilica. The most important is the Plenary Indulgence which the faithful may receive who devoutly visit the basilica and participate in any sacred rite "or at least recite the Lord's Prayer and the profession of faith." For this reason, we should expect many pilgrims beyond those visitors interested in our art and architecture. Domus Ecclesiae's list of privileges continues:

[With the conditions specified above, Pilgrims at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels] may obtain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, commitment to abstain from habitual sin, and prayer for the intention of the Supreme Pontiff):

• June 29 on the anniversary of the dedication of this Basilica
• June 29  Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles (ALL minor basilicas throughout the world are entitled to offer a Plenary Indulgence this day).
• August 2 on the day of the liturgical celebration of the title of this Basilica
• October 4 Feast of St. Francis--once a year on a day determined by the local Ordinary 
• February 14 on the anniversary of the granting of the title of this Basilica
• once a year on a day freely chosen by the each of the faithful.

June 29 combines two important celebrations for any minor basilica: the day it was consecrated (ours was consecrated on June 29, 1919) and the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul which signifies our unique bond with the Holy Father and his Petrine ministry to the universal Church. So both Plenary Indulgence days fall on the same day for our minor basilica. 

August 2 is the traditional Franciscan feast day of Saint Mary of the Angels. Minor basilicas all over the world are given the priviledge of offering the Plenary Indulgence on the basilica's patronal feast day. Our original church was placed under the patronage of Saint Mary of the Angels by the Franciscan priest, Rev. Pamphilus daMagliano in 1858 upon the blessing of the cornerstone of the new church he was building on the very lot our basilica rests today! 

October 4 is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Because our parish began as a mission church of the Franciscans in 1856 and continued under their care until 1876, our local Ordinary, Bishop Richard Malone, chose this as a day our basilica may offer the Plenary Indulgence. He exercised his priviledge to choose the extra Plenary Indulgence day as granted by Domus Ecclesiae. St. Mary of the Angels is a Franciscan name for a church as it was the name of the church most beloved by St. Francis himself. The little church in Assisi is the veritable cradle of the Franciscan Order. 

February 14 - On this day in  2017, Pope Francis granted the title of Minor Basilica to St. Mary of the Angels Church. The original document, framed and affixed to the pulpit, was signed by Robert Cardinal Sarah, the Prefect for the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments who oversaw the application process.  In celebration of this spiritual/historic event, the Church grants the basilica the privilege of offering the Plenary Indulgence.  

Read about gaining a Plenary Indulgence for these days.