Chancery Notices 9 May 2008

NOVENA FOR MEMORIAL OF OUR LADY, HELP OF CHRISTIANS
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH IN CHINA

In his Letter to all the faithful in China last Pentecost, Pope Benedict XVI designated 24 May, Memorial of Our Lady, Help of Christians, as the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China.? It has just been announced (7 May) that at the request of Cardinal Joseph ZEN, SDB, the Holy Father will grant a Plenary Indulgence to the faithful in the Diocese of Hong Kong on the following conditions:

1. The faithful should fulfill the three conditions of sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff, in a spirit of total detachment from any inclination to sin.
   
   
2. Participation at one of the sacred functions to be held during 15-25 May 2008. (For details, see relevant posters on parish noticeboards.)? That function may be the solemn closing ceremony.

The same Plenary Indulgence may be obtained by those faithful who, because of sickness or other grave reasons, are unable to take part in the above celebrations, provided that they, with total detachment from any inclination to sin and the intention of fulfilling as soon as possible the three above-mentioned conditions, unite themselves spiritually with those present at the above celebrations, offering their prayers and sufferings to the God of mercy for the Church in China.

It is the wish of the Holy Father that the faithful will more and more yearn for and put into practice the supernatural virtues, especially Faith, Hope and Charity, and that they will strengthen their communion with the Roman Pontiff, who is the visible foundation of the unity of the whole Catholic Church.

Given at the Chancery Office,
9 May 2008.

Rev. Lawrence LEE
Chancellor