Jubilee Pilgrim Churches In Cavite For The Year of Mercy And How To Obtain The Jubilee Indulgence

Here in the Philippines, it has been a tradition for Catholics to do a so-called “Visita Iglesia” or Seven Churches Visitation to recite the 14 Station of the Cross. Visita Iglesia is traditionally done in the country either in Maundy Thursday or Good Friday. This year, the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis announced an opportunity for Catholics to obtain a s-called plenary indulgence by passing through a designated Holy Door during the Year of Mercy. The Diocese will designate churches to serve the Holy Door of Mercy

To gain a plenary indulgence, a person must exclude all attachment to sin of any kind, even venial sin, must perform the work or say the prayer for which the indulgence is granted, and must also fulfil the three conditions of sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and praying for the intentions of the Pope

Interestingly, here’s what the recent letter from Pope Francis is contained of. He gave us a guide on how to obtain the so-called Jubilee Indulgence. Take note that these steps are necessary to be performed.

“To experience and obtain the Indulgence, the faithful are called to make a brief pilgrimage to the Holy Door, open in every Cathedral or in the churches designated by the Diocesan Bishop, and in the four Papal Basilicas in Rome, as a sign of the deep desire for true conversion. Likewise, I dispose that the Indulgence may be obtained in the Shrines in which the Door of Mercy is open and in the churches which traditionally are identified as Jubilee Churches. It is important that this moment be linked, first and foremost, to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with a reflection on mercy. It will be necessary to accompany these celebrations with the profession of faith and with prayer for me and for the intentions that I bear in my heart for the good of the Church and of the entire world”. How to obtain the Jubilee Indulgence
In order to obtain any indulgence, it is necessary: Reconciliation (It can be done until 20 days before or after the Indulgenced Action); and, the same day you are going to do the Action (before or after it), it is necessary a celebration of the Holy Eucharist and a pray for the Pope – Our Father and Hail Mary.
1) Reconciliation – For each sin, it is necessary to keep in mind or to say you have the intention of not repeating it;
2) Holy Eucharist – It is better, before, to keep in mind the intention (the Jubilee Indulgence);
3) Pray for the Pope – Our Father and Hail Mary;
To obtain the Jubilee Indulgence, it is necessary, furthermore, in the Pilgrimage’s day (4-8):
4) A Profession of faith;
5) A Prayer for the Pope;
6) A Prayer for the Pope’s intentions “for the good of the Church and of the entire world” – It is necessary to verify the Pope’s intentions that were planned for each month (Universal and Particular Intentions);
7) A Reflection on Mercy. There are some texts that may help. For example, the Psalm 135 or at Santa Faustina’s Diary, number 949 (“Litany in praise of the Divine Mercy”);
8) Indulgenced Action – A Pilgrimage to the Holy Door “as a sign of the deep desire for true conversion”. (Source)

For those who are in Cavite or anyone who would like to visit the province for Holy Week and for those who are aiming to obtain the Jubilee Indulgence, listed below are the seven Jubilee Pilgrim Churches in Cavite as assigned by the Diocese of Imus.

1. Our Lady of Pillar Parish / Imus Cathedral in Imus Cavite – Check more about the Cathedral and its rich history here.
2. Pink Sisters Convent in Tagaytay – Also known as the Adoration Convent of Divine Mercy. Check more details about this convent in Tagaytay here.3. Saint Mary Magdalene Parish in Amadeo, Cavite. [Image Source]
4. Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in Area 1, Dasmariñas, Cavite [Image Source]5. Holy Trinity Parish in Bayanan, Bacoor [Image Source]6. Divine Mercy Parish in Silang, Cavite [Image Source]7. Saint Peter Parish in Cavite City

**Indulgence – According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (No. 1471): “An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints. An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin.” Indulgences may be applied to the living or the dead.