Prot. N. 02399/2023-792/23/I

D E C R E E

For the increase of the spirit of religion among the faithful and the salvation of souls, THE APOSTOLIC PENITENTIARY, through the special faculties granted to it in a most particular manner by the Most Holy Father in Christ, our Lord Francis, by Divine Providence Pope, taking into consideration the recent petitions presented by the Most Reverend Monsignor Aldo Berardi, O.SS.T., Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, on the occasion of the solemn celebrations in honour of Saint Arethas and Companions, martyrs, which will be held from October 24, 2023, to October 24, 2024, benevolently grants a Plenary Indulgence, under the usual conditions (Sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff).

This Plenary Indulgence is granted to the truly repentant Christian faithful who are animated by charity and it can also be applied to the souls of the faithful departed in Purgatory, on condition that they visit the Cathedral Church of Our Lady of Arabia and the Parish Church of Saint Arethas in the form of a pilgrimage, and there participate in the jubilee rites and special ceremonies, or if they have devoutly offered intercessory prayers, or at least have devotedly prayed before the relics of Saint Arethas for a suitable period of time, concluding with the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Arethas, and Companions.

The elderly, the infirm, and all those who cannot leave their homes for a serious reason can likewise obtain the Plenary Indulgence, with sorrow for all their sins and the intention of fulfilling, as soon as possible, the three usual conditions, if they spiritually partake in the jubilee celebrations in front of an image, offering their prayers, their sorrows or the sufferings in their own life to the mercy of God. Therefore, so that access to divine forgiveness may be more readily available out of pastoral charity through the keys of the Church, this Penitentiary earnestly requests that the penitential vicar, the cathedral clergy, and priests be endowed with the appropriate faculties for hearing confessions and that they willingly and generously offer themselves for the celebration of the Sacrament of Penance.

This shall be valid only for this occasion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary.

Given at Rome, from the offices of the Apostolic Penitentiary, on the 29th day of the month of August, in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 2023.

Mauro Cardinal PIACENZA                                       Christopher NYKIEL