From the Pilgrim Office website...
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Holy Year
In 1122 Pope Calixtus II gave Compostela the privilege of granting a plenary indulgence to those who visited the shrine of the Apostle in the years when the Saint's day fell on a Sunday. This is recorded in the Bull, Regis Aeterni, issued by Pope Alexander III in 1179.
In the years in which the Feast of St. James (25th July) falls on a Sunday, that year is celebrated as a Holy Year. Therfore there is a Holy Year every 5, 6, and 11 years. The last Holy Year was in 2010 and the next is in 2021. During Holy Years there is a considerable increase in the numbers of pilgrims to Santiago, who may enter the Cathedral by the "Holy Door" which is only opened during that year.
The Plenary Indulgence (aka "The Jubilee")
The doctrine and practice of indulgences in the Church are closely linked to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession). An indulgence is the full remission of all temporal punishment (time spent in purgatory) up to that point in a person's life. Individuals can gain Plenary Indulgences for themselves and for the deceased.
In order to gain the Jubilee Indulgence individuals must:
- Visit the Cathedral of Santiago where lies the Tomb of St. James the Great
- Say a prayer, at least the Apostles Creed, the Our Father and a prayer for the intentions of the Pope. It is also recommended that the individual attend Mass.
- Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (go to confession) and Eucharist (go to communion) within 15 days before or after the visit to the Cathedral.
- Indulgences can be gained at other times in the year through performance of other acts of devotion. These are outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
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Well, I've gone and done it.
I've set up my website again
and we're taking two groups to Santiago in May 2021
for the Holy Year!
Keeping my fingers crossed
my mother's health holds
and I can get enough pilgrims for this
very special Camino which may be my last.
More information available at this link
as I build the website.
It should be finished in the next few days.
Firm prices won't be available until the first of the year when I can finish making my reservations.
Come join us?
Just 2 spots left!
Just 2 spots left!