This year, Divine Providence has placed the feast of our great patron saint, St. Francis de Sales, on a Sunday. This will allow a greater number of faithful to attend the Mass which has the rank of a first class feast in the Institute. (The 4th Sunday after Epiphany will be commemorated.)
On December 28th, 2022, the feast of the Holy Innocents, the Church remembered the fourth centenary of the death of our holy patron which occurred at the Visitandine monastery in Lyon in the year 1622. In preparation of this year’s celebration it is recommended to (re-)read the wonderful Encyclical Rerum omnium perturbationem by Pope Pius XI. (January 26th, 1923). Since next Sunday is the last Sunday of the month, we will be able to ask for St. Francis’ powerful intercession and gentle guidance while kneeling before the Exposed Blessed Sacrament.
All present for Holy Mass on this feast day in any church of the Institute are able to receive a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions (Sacramental confession; Eucharistic Communion; prayer for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff. It is further required that all attachment to sin, even venial sin, be absent. If the latter disposition is in any way less than perfect or if the prescribed three conditions are not fulfilled, the indulgence will be partial only).