On March 20, the Apostolic Penitentiary at the Vatican announced a special indulgence for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The gift of special Indulgences is granted to the faithful suffering from COVID-19 disease, commonly known as Coronavirus, as well as to health care workers, family members and all those who in any capacity, including through prayer, care for them,” said the Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary.

“In these extraordinary circumstances, anyone who joins us for the Holy Mass, Rosary Novena, Divine Mercy Chaplet, or Stations of the Cross is eligible for a Plenary Indulgence, if they “implore Almighty God to end the epidemic, relief for those who are afflicted and eternal salvation for those whom the Lord has called to himself,” explained Rev. Francis Hoffman “Fr. Rocky”, Executive Director/CEO at Relevant Radio^®.

So how does it work? Simply put, if you are affected by the Coronavirus (sick, quarantined, working in health care, caring for a family member who is sick) you may gain a Plenary Indulgence by being detached from sin and participating in the Holy Mass, Rosary, Stations of the Cross, or other devotion via the media.

Digging a little deeper, the decree specified the following conditions for the Plenary Indulgence:

The sick, those under quarantine, or who care for the sick may obtain the plenary indulgence “if, with a spirit detached from any sin, they unite spiritually through the media to the celebration of Holy Mass, the recitation of the Holy Rosary, to the pious practice of the Way of the Cross or other forms of devotion, or if at least they will recite the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer and a pious invocation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, offering this trial in a spirit of faith in God and charity towards their brothers and sisters, with the will to fulfill the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the Holy Father’s intentions), as soon as possible.”

The faithful around the world may also gain a Plenary Indulgence if they “offer a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, or Eucharistic adoration, or reading the Holy Scriptures for at least half an hour, or the recitation of the Holy Rosary, or the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross, or the recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, to implore from Almighty God the end of the epidemic, relief for those who are afflicted and eternal salvation for those whom the Lord has called to Himself.”

Join Relevant Radio for the following devotions (on your local station, at relevantradio.com, or on the free mobile app) in order to be eligible for the special Plenary Indulgence during this global pandemic:

• 9-day Rosary Novena March 19-27 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT
• Daily Mass at 1pm ET / 10am PT
• Stations of the Cross, Fridays at 4:35pm ET / 1:35pm PT
• Divine Mercy Chaplet weekdays at 4pm ET / 1pm PT

Get all the details by reading the full Decree from the Vatican. Our Lady of Good Health, pray for us!