Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
On Sunday, June 29, the Church celebrates the Solemn Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, and is one of a few days on which the special privilege of plenary indulgence may be gained by those who join in Mass in a Basilica.
Accordingly, a plenary indulgence is gained by joining us at one of the regularly scheduled Masses at the Cathedral Basilica or the Basilica of St. Louis the King (Old Cathedral) on this feast day along with fulfilling the usual conditions.
- A plenary indulgence can be gained only once a day. In order to obtain it, the faithful must, in addition to being in the state of grace:
- have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, even venial sin;
- have sacramentally confessed their sins;
- receive the Holy Eucharist (it is certainly better to receive it while participating in Holy Mass, but for the indulgence, only Holy Communion is required);
- pray for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.
- It is appropriate, but not necessary, that the sacramental Confession and especially Holy Communion and the prayer for the Pope's intentions take place on the same day that the indulgenced work is performed; but it is sufficient that these sacred rites and prayers be carried out within several days (about 20) before or after the indulgenced act.
- Prayer for the Pope's intentions is left to the choice of the faithful, but an "Our Father" and a "Hail Mary" are suggested. One sacramental Confession suffices for several plenary indulgences, but a separate Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the Holy Father's intentions are required for each plenary indulgence.