The Plenary Indulgence on the occasion of the Feast of Portiuncula: St Francis of Assisi asked the Supreme Pontiff to grant Plenary Indulgence to those who visit the “Portiuncula” (little portion), the little Chapel in the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels, Assisi. It is historically significant as the place where St. Francis of Assisi founded the Franciscan Order and is considered the cradle of Franciscan spirituality. The feast day, August 2, commemorates the dedication of the Chapel and is a significant day for Franciscans. The Plenary Indulgence is now extended to other churches, shrines and minor Basilicas. The practices prescribed for obtaining the indulgence are a devout visit to a church, the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer and the Profession of Faith (Creed), in addition to the Sacramental Confession, Holy Communion, and prayer for the intention of the Pope. This visit may be made from noon of the previous day (August 1) until midnight of the day itself. The fruit of the indulgence could be applied to the souls in purgatory.

Day of Prayer for Priests: On August 4, we celebrate the memorial of St John Vianney, the Patron of all Priests. This is a special day to remember and offer prayers for the priests who minister to us in diverse facets of our lives. No Catholic can 167 01–08–2025 Inter Nos claim to be unconnected from priests. In the Year dedicated to Priests, on the 150th anniversary of the death of Curé of Ars, Pope Benedict XVI wrote: “‘The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus’, the saintly Curé of Ars would often say. This touching expression makes us reflect, first of all, with heartfelt gratitude on the immense gift which priests represent, not only for the Church, but also for humanity itself.” Let us pray intensely for our Priests who have accompanied us on our life’s journey.

Communio: The Conference of the Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) has directed that the First Advent Sunday collection be earmarked for Communio, a venture to support poor dioceses and institutions. In our Diocese, we have earmarked the collection made during the Mass on August 15 for Communio. Whatever we gather on this day of obligation is to be sent to the Account of the Diocese of Mangalore to be forwarded for the cause of Communio. Kindly make known to the People of God that this contribution is set aside to have communion with our poor brethren.

Justice/Prison Ministry Sunday: On August 17, we celebrate the Prison Ministry Sunday. The theme of this year’s observance is: “Fallen humans may rise again on wings of prayer”. Prison Ministry India (PMI) is a national voluntary organisation that supports prisoners and their families through release and rehabilitation efforts, vocational training for life after prison, and reintegration programs. The Prison Ministry unit is very active in our Diocese, by catering to the needs of prisoners and their families. It operates under the direction of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), and the volunteers spend their own resources and those of well-wishers. It has been helping many prisoners regain freedom and rebuild their lives. Once a prisoner asked the PMI members when they visited them in the prison in Mangalore: “Pope has declared this year as the Year of Hope. We request you to give us hope”. The Lord said: “I was in prison and you visited me” (Mt 25: 36). In this Jubilee Year, let us pray for those in prison, visit them if possible, and also donate from our resources for their well-being.

Ongoing Formation for the Clergy: On 19 and 20 of this month, the clergy will have the ongoing formation at the Pastoral Centre. Please take note of the dates and participate in the programme to benefit from it. Important topics related to the implementation of the Synod on Synodality in our Diocese, as well as recent updates on Tax Laws, will be discussed. Rev. Fr Christopher Vimalraj of the Bangalore Archdiocese and Rev. Fr Anil Crasta of the Gulbarga Diocese serve as the Resource Persons.

Youth Sunday: The focus of our Liturgy on August 31 is on the Youth. They are vital to the Church’s present, not just its future, actively participating in worship, prayer and leadership roles. They bring unique perspectives and energy, enhancing the Church’s relevance and vitality today, making the Church vibrant. In Christus Vivit, Pope Francis wrote: “Many young people have come to appreciate silence and closeness to God. Groups that gather to adore the Blessed Sacrament or to pray with the word of God have also increased. We should never underestimate the ability of young people to be open to contemplative prayer” (n. 224). Let this Sunday be an occasion to inspire young people to come closer to the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament so that they find meaning in their lives through their encounter with the Lord. Wishing you a Happy Feast of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother and Happy Independence Day. X P