By Jessica Easthope
Joyce Peters says there’s no better time than Lent to have a rebirth of her faith life.
“This is the most wonderful time of the year for me. Because I know that I’m a sinner and God is merciful and kind,” she tells Currents News.
Peters received her third plenary indulgence March 19 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights. The co-cathedral is one of six designated Jubilee shrine churches on the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Lenten Pilgrimage pathway.
Peters has visited every church since the pilgrimage began on Ash Wednesday.
“I’m 82, I want to see God’s face,” she explains. “I sin every day. And I say, ‘Father, forgive me, for I have sinned. Save my soul and I’m sorry’ And I ask God to forgive the others who have wronged me.”
The rector of the co-cathedral, Father Christopher Heanue, says it’s not hard to receive a plenary indulgence, but the criteria promotes deep spiritual reflection.
“Recognizing our sinful nature, but we’re yet we’re hopeful, of what’s to come,” he tells Currents News. “We’re hopeful for change. We’re hopeful for conversion. And that’s the season of Lent. That’s what it means to be a pilgrim of hope. And that’s what it means to receive that plenary indulgence. It’s a time of change. It’s a time of conversion.”
In order to receive the grace of a plenary indulgence and be free from the temporal punishment of your sins you’ll need to meet certain conditions like:
- making a pilgrimage to a designated Jubilee shrine church
- confessing your sins
- receiving the Eucharist
- praying for the intentions of Pope Francis
“We make that easy here at the co-cathedral,” explains Fr. Heanue. “Mass offered every day, our church is open every day, allowing people to come and pray. And so it’s a great way for them to celebrate this Jubilee year.”
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June 19 marked the feast day of St. Joseph, the spouse of Mary and the foster father of Jesus – the significance of the day was another reason to make a visit to the co-cathedral.
The Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph on that Wednesday was Sheila Lopez’s fifth stop on the Lenten Pilgrimage. It’s journey she says has already enriched her life.
“It’s so refreshing to see all these new people and everyone so happy and involved. And be a strong participant in your faith,” she tells Currents News. “It’s not something that’s not able to be done.”
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If you were unable to come to one of the six designated Jubilee shrine churches on the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Lenten Pilgrimage, you can still make a visit and receive a plenary indulgence any day from March 19 until the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8.