Apostolic Penitentiary, 20 September 2013
Our Lady of Penha: spiritual union when impeded
On the granted occasions, people prevented by illness or another grave cause may unite with the shrine’s celebrations before a Marian image.
Time required Spiritual union before a Marian image and an offering of prayer or suffering; duration varies
- When
- The shrine’s titular solemnity; liturgical solemnities of the Blessed Virgin Mary; one freely chosen day each year; and each qualifying group pilgrimage
- Where
- Where the impeded person is, before a small image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in spiritual union with the Penha celebrations
- Who
- Faithful prevented from making the pilgrimage by illness or another grave cause
- Application
- Self or the departed
The prescribed work
- This provision is for people prevented from making the visit by illness or another grave cause, and applies on the same granted occasions.
- Reject every sin and intend to fulfil the three ordinary conditions as soon as possible.
- Before a small image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, unite spiritually with the shrine’s celebrations.
- Offer prayers, suffering or the hardships of life to the merciful God.
The work and its conditions
This grant has a special provision for the ordinary conditions. Follow the requirements above and the source closely.
Conditions common to every indulgence
The person gaining an indulgence must be baptized, not excommunicated, and in the state of grace at least when the prescribed works are completed. There must be at least a general intention to gain indulgences, and the prescribed work must be performed at the time and in the manner required by the grant.
Read the full conditions and norms. The cited grant and its specific provisions govern.
Time required
Read each branch with its own conditions. An editorial estimate is not a prescribed minimum.
Spiritual union on a feast day or annual chosen day
Duration varies
Spiritual union before a Marian image and an offering of prayer or suffering; duration varies
No fixed duration or specific verbal formula is prescribed. The illness or grave impediment, Marian image, spiritual union and offering remain required. This branch is confined to the granted feasts or the one personally chosen annual day.
Timing sources
- Sanctuary of Penha — complete decree and directionsPortuguese text of Apostolic Penitentiary decree of 20 September 2013; perpetual grant, four occasions and impeded-person provision
- Agência Ecclesia — Portuguese Church report of the grant22 January 2014; shrine rector confirms delivery of perpetual decree
Spiritual union with an actual group-pilgrimage celebration
Duration varies
Spiritual union before a Marian image and an offering of prayer or suffering; duration varies
No fixed duration or specific verbal formula is prescribed. The illness or grave impediment, Marian image, spiritual union and offering remain required. This repeatable branch requires an actual qualifying group-pilgrimage celebration at the shrine; it does not authorize an isolated visit-free devotion on arbitrary days.
Timing sources
- Sanctuary of Penha — complete decree and directionsPortuguese text of Apostolic Penitentiary decree of 20 September 2013; perpetual grant, four occasions and impeded-person provision
- Agência Ecclesia — Portuguese Church report of the grant22 January 2014; shrine rector confirms delivery of perpetual decree
What the time estimate excludes
- Sacramental confession, Communion and prayer for the Pope’s intentions under the ordinary conditions
- Stated start
- 20 September 2013
Occasion and source notes
The shrine’s proper calendar determines its titular and Marian solemnities and any lawful transfers. A Marian memorial or feast is not automatically a solemnity under this concession.
Source and exact reference
- Sanctuary of Penha — complete decree and directionsPortuguese text of Apostolic Penitentiary decree of 20 September 2013; perpetual grant, four occasions and impeded-person provision
- Agência Ecclesia — Portuguese Church report of the grant22 January 2014; shrine rector confirms delivery of perpetual decree
Prayer texts and grants have separate source histories. Consult the grant source for the prescribed work, occasion, and conditions.