PILGRIMS who will take part in the festivities of the Santisimo Rosario Parish’s Jubilee Year will gain plenary indulgence following the approval of the Holy See, Parish Priest Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P. announced on Thursday.
The Vatican’s grant of plenary indulgence is God’s way of reconciling with His people, he said.
“Ang ibig sabihin nito, ginagawa ng Diyos lahat ng paraan para mapalapit siya sa tao at para maging banal ang tao. At isa ang plenary indulgence para tayo ay mapalapit sa Diyos,” Coronel told the Varsitarian in an interview.
According to the Code of Canon Law and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, an indulgence reduces the temporal punishment that remain even after sins are forgiven. Plenary indulgence wipes out all temporal punishment because of sin.
It requires three conditions: sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of the Pope, and detachment from sin.
Other Jubilee Year activities of the parish include Novena masses, which will be led by its former parish priests from Sept. 22 to 30.
In a Eucharistic celebration following the enthronement rites of the Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario, Coronel urged parishioners of Santisimo Rosario to emulate the Blessed Mother’s unconditional love for Jesus.
“Si Maria ang modelo na dapat nating tularan. Marami nagyayari ngayon sa mundo. The world is suffering because of war, because of persecution. However, we are not orphans,” he said.
“Hindi po tayo mga ulila. Ang mga ina, hindi iniisip ang sarili, kung hindi ang para sa anak. Ang isang ina, titiisin ang lahat para sa anak. Kapag ikaw ay nalulungkot, kapag ikaw ay natatakot, ano ang sinasambit natin? Lumalapit tayo sa ating ina. Sa ating buhay na puno ng hapis ang Blessed Mother will defend us,” he added.
Coronel likened the beginnings of the Santisimo Rosario to the consolation the Blessed Mother provides in times of need.
“Ang ating parokya ay pinanganak noong kasagsagan ng World War 2 kaya ang ating parokya ay itinatag upang maging konsolasyon sa mga naghihinagpis dahil sa giyera,” he said.
A parish fiesta on Oct. 1 will serve as the highlight of the anniversary, with the 75th anniversary Mass to be presided by Batanes Bishop-prelate emeritus, Bishop Camilo Gregorio, a member of the Dominical Priestly Fraternity of the Philippines.
Bishop Camilo Gregorio, not Fr. Camilo Gregorio.