Originally published at National Catholic Register
What does the Church say about indulgences as one year ends and another begins?
On New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, and the first day of the new year, Jan. 1, the Catholic Church offers the opportunity to obtain plenary indulgences as a sign of God’s mercy and the desire for sanctification of all her members.
A plenary indulgence is remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven.
Indulgences on Dec. 31
On the eve of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the Church grants a plenary indulgence to those Christian faithful who publicly recite the Te Deum, thanking God for the year that is ending. This blessing is extended especially on Dec. 31.
To recite the Te Deum click here.
Indulgences on Jan. 1
Likewise, on Jan. 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, a plenary indulgence is granted to those who publicly recite the hymn Veni Creator, imploring blessings for the new year that is beginning.
To recite the Veni Creator, click here.
Additionally, those who devoutly receive the papal blessing urbi et orbi (“for the city and for the world”), either through radio, television or the internet,
