Plenary Indulgence for March for Life Participants

In a letter sent to all U.S. bishops Dec. 20, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington and Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington announced on behalf of the Holy See that a plenary indulgence can be obtained under certain conditions and with specific intentions by the Christian faithful who are taking part in the “sacred celebrations, along with the great assembly of people, throughout the whole course of the annual event that is called ‘March for Life’...”

Events held in Washington, D .C. and the Diocese of Trenton as part of the March for Life observance include:

• Pre-March Pro-Life Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m.
• Participation in the actual March for Life in Washington, D.C. Jan. 19 (Buses are leaving from multiple locations in the Diocese.)
• Post-March, Pro-Life Mass, celebrated by Bishop O’Connell, in advance of the Trenton State House Rally scheduled in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, Jan. 22 at 9:30 am.

Bishop O’Connell encouraged participation in both the March in D.C. and the local observances in the Diocese that together provide the opportunity for a strong and prayerful statement of one’s support for human life. Since this favor of a plenary indulgence from the Holy See is a privilege, Bishop O’Connell has extended the privilege to include the January 22 Mass at the Cathedral in Trenton, a “sacred celebration” that brings Diocesan participation in this year’s March for Life events to a close.

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The letter from Cardinal Wuerl and Bishop Burbidge stipulated the usual conditions that must be met for the indulgence, and stipulations for those who are aged, sick and unable to leave home due to grave reasons.