Prayer to Christ the Healer

In the comfort of your love,
I pour out to you my Savior,
The memories that haunt me,
The anxieties that perplex me,
The fears that stifle me,
The sickness that prevails upon me,
And the frustration of all the pain
That weaves about within me.

Lord help me to see your peace in my turmoil,
Your compassion in my sorrow,
And your love in my need.
Touch me, O Lord, with your healing power and strength.

Regarding Confession

‘Where the individual faithful find themselves in the painful impossibility of receiving sacramental absolution, it should be remembered that perfect contrition, coming from the love of God, beloved above all things, expressed by a sincere request for forgiveness (that which the penitent is at present able to express and accompanied by votum confessionis, that is by the firm resolution to have recourse, as soon as possible to sacramental confession, obtain forgiveness of sins, even mortal ones (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1452)’

Plenary Indulgence

The Apostolic Penitentiary has announced a plenary indulgence for those in danger of death who cannot receive the Anointing of the sick.

‘The Church prays for those who find themselves unable to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and of Viaticum, entrusting each and every one to divine Mercy by virtue of the communion of saints and granting the faithful a Plenary Indulgence on the point of death, provided that they are duly disposed and have recited a few prayers during their lifetime (in this case the Church makes up for the three usual conditions required). For the attainment of this indulgence the use of the crucifix or the cross is recommended (cf. Enchiridioin of Indulgences, no. 12).’

What is an Indulgence?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes an indulgence as “a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and all of the saints”.^[2]

“Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. Trust in God and trust in me” – John 14:1