The Holy See published a decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary announcing the concession
of indulgences to the faithful for the World Day of the Sick, which is celebrated every
year on February 11, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. The main venue for the day, this year
will be Seoul, South Korea.

“We must,” the text of the decree reads, “reflect deeply upon the fact that human
remedies have a limit and that, therefore, there will inevitably come a time when man
reaches the end of his journey on this earth. To the sick who are in that condition we must
offer the most attentive care and the greatest charity, so that their transit from this world
to the Father is comforted by divine consolation and so that, as the Church’s prayer for
the dying implores, they may see the gentle face of Jesus Christ and clearly hear the voice
calling them to eternal glory and joy.”

“With this awareness, the Holy Mother Church hopes that the annual celebration of the
World Day of the Sick may become an effective catechesis of the teaching … of the
treasure of Revelation, concerning the value and function of suffering.”

For this reason, Plenary Indulgence will be granted “to the faithful who, under the usual
conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer in keeping with
the intentions of the Holy Father), and with the soul completely removed from attachment
to any form of sin, participate on February 11 in the city of Seoul, or at any other place
decided by the ecclesiastical authorities, in a sacred ceremony held to beseech God to
grant the goals of the World Day of the Sick.”

The decree continues: “The faithful who, in public hospitals or in private houses, like
‘Good Samaritans’ charitably assist the sick – especially those suffering incurable and
terminal diseases – and who, because of the service they provide, cannot participate in
the aforementioned ceremony, will obtain the same gift of Plenary Indulgence if on that
day they generously provide, at least for a few hours, their charitable assistance to the
sick as if they were tending to Christ the Lord Himself, with the soul completely
removed from attachment to any form of sin, and with the intention of observing, as soon
as they can, the conditions required for obtaining the Plenary Indulgence.

“The faithful who, through sickness, old age or similar reason, are prevented from
participating in the aforementioned ceremony, may obtain the Plenary Indulgence if,
with the soul completely removed from attachment to any form of sin and with the
intention of observing, as soon as they can, the conditions required, they spiritually
participate together with the Holy Father in the aforesaid ceremony, pray devotedly for
the sick, and offer – through the Virgin Mary ‘Health of the Sick’ – their physical and
spiritual sufferings to God.”

Partial Indulgence, the text of the decree concludes, will be conceded to “all the faithful
whenever, between February 9 and 11, with a contrite heart they raise devout prayers to
the merciful Lord calling for these aspirations to be met in order to help the sick,
especially those suffering incurable and terminal disease.”

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