Honolulu’s “Door of Mercy,” the single door on the right side of the front of the cathedral. Bishop Silva will open it on Dec. 13, the Third Sunday of Advent, the day Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of Rome’s cathedral, the Basilica of St. John Lateran. (HCH photo | Darlene Dela Cruz)
By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
It won’t be necessary to travel to one of Rome’s major basilicas to obtain the plenary indulgence Pope Francis is offering during the Jubilee Holy Year of Mercy, Dec. 8 to Nov. 20, 2016.
Following the pope’s instructions, Bishop Larry Silva has named seven local churches that may be visited for the indulgence.
To receive a holy year plenary indulgence —the elimination of temporal punishment due for sins already forgiven — the following actions are required:
- A pilgrimage to a designated church
- Going to confession
- Receiving holy Communion
- Making a profession of faith
- Praying for the intentions of the pope
Earlier holy years had required a visit to one of the papal basilicas in Rome. For the Holy Year of Mercy, Pope Francis is allowing the use of diocesan cathedrals and whatever other churches local bishops might choose.
In addition to the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Bishop Silva has selected a church on every island, including two on the Big Island. They are:
- Oahu: Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu
- Kauai: St. Catherine Church, Kapaa
- Maui: St. Theresa Church, Kihei
- Lanai: Sacred Hearts Church, Lanai City
- West Hawaii: St. Michael Church, Kailua-Kona
- East Hawaii: St. Joseph Church, Hilo
- Molokai: St. Damien Church, Kaunakakai
Because the Holy Year is meant to be lived as a pilgrimage, people taking part are asked to prepare themselves with prayer and sacrifice, and to make a portion of the journey on foot.
According to a Nov. 13 memo from the diocesan Office of Worship, the pope is allowing other special amendments in the obtaining of the jubilee indulgence.
The indulgence may be obtained by performing a traditional spiritual and corporal work of mercy, such as comforting the sorrowful or sheltering the homeless. Pope Francis has also extended the indulgence to those who are homebound, imprisoned or otherwise unable to visit a designated church.
Only one jubilee indulgence may be obtained in a day. A single sacramental confession will suffice for several plenary indulgences, however, Communion and prayers for the intentions of the pope are required for each indulgence. This indulgence can also be applied to the deceased.
Bishop Silva will begin the Jubilee Year of Mercy in Hawaii with Mass at 6 p.m., Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, the same day the pope opens the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica.
The bishop will open Honolulu’s “Door of Mercy,” the single door on the right side of the front of the cathedral, on Dec. 13, the Third Sunday of Advent, the day Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of Rome’s cathedral, the Basilica of Saint John Lateran.
If you do want to go to Rome to obtain an indulgence, the designated churches are the four major basilicas: St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls.
