MANILA, July 11, 2013—Individuals who help send delegates to World Youth Day (WYD) and those who contribute or participate in the local WYD celebrations will benefit from the same plenary indulgence that the Holy Father will grant to those physically partaking in the occasion in Brazil.
This is what Fr. Conegundo Garganta, executive secretary of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY), said after hearing the news of Pope Francis’ recent decision to grant plenary indulgence to WYD pilgrims.
“For as long as they got involved: whether they are there physically in Brazil or not, if they are praying for the success of WYD, they volunteer or they sponsor; every one who gave a hand to the WYD wholeheartedly will receive the same plenary indulgence given to those physically present there,” he added.
In an interview with YouthPinoy, the official said the news about the plenary indulgence should not only delight WYD delegates who will be departing for Brazil this weekend but also those who are participating in the local WYD celebrations.
As of press time, at least three local events are being organized to happen simultaneously with the Vigil with the Pope and Closing Mass on July 27 to 28. These events will take place in Makati City, Quezon City and Calamba, Laguna and will cater primarily to those who were not able to make it to Brazil for the international WYD celebrations.
“Either you are here or there, if you are in full communion with the spirit of the WYD, you are one with the Church,” said Garganta, who heads the ECY-Philippines Delegation composed of 176 pilgrims going to Rio de Janeiro for the WYD.
The priest, however, reminded donors and local WYD participants to satisfy the conditions to fully benefit from the plenary indulgence.
They should also satisfy the other components necessary to obtain the plenary indulgence, such as sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father, and of including the pilgrims and the success of WYD in their prayers, Garganta added.
Members of the ECY-Philippines Delegation, which represent some 26 dioceses, schools and organizations nationwide, will start departing for Brazil this Saturday in time for the Missionary Week, which will be held from July 17 to 21 outside of the Diocese of Rio de Janeiro.
The Diocese of Petropolis will host the pilgrims under the ECY-Philippines Delegation for the duration of the Missionary Week.
There are other Filipino delegations that will also participate in the Missionary Week at different host dioceses. But everybody will converge at Rio de Janeiro starting July 22 for the WYD week. (KB/CBCPNews)
