Plenary Indulgence on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the "Nativity scene at Greccio"

On the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the "Nativity scene of Greccio", the Apostolic Penitentiary granted a plenary indulgence to all the faithful who, from 8 December 2023 (Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary) to 2 February 2024 ( Feast of the Presentation in the Temple of Our Lord Jesus Christ) will visit a Nativity scene in a church entrusted to the Franciscan friars all over the world.

The Franciscan Family had forwarded this request to the Holy Father on the 17th April 2023, "in order to promote the spiritual renewal of the faithful and increase the life of grace," as reads the petition sent to the Apostolic Penitentiary. “By stopping in prayer in front of the nativity scenes”, the faithful may obtain the Plenary Indulgence under the usual conditions. (Sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff); it is necessary to devoutly participate in the jubilee rites, or at least to pause before the creche prepared there, spending an appropriate span of time in pious meditation, concluding with the Our Father, the Profession of Faith and invocations to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as well as St. Francis of Assisi.

Invocation to the Holy Family and Saint Francis of Assisi

Oh Good Jesus, contemplating this Nativity Scene, I ask you for the grace of forgiveness of my sins. You are the dawn from on high made flesh to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. You made your home among us and loved us to the point of giving your life for us. You did not come to condemn the world but to save it. Give me the grace of sincere repentance and the humility to recognize my frailty. Give me faith in your mercy and renew in me the joy of your salvation.

Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of the Church, teach us the joy of the humble and of those who believe in the promises of the Lord. Help us to proclaim the greatness of the God who accompanies and saves suffering humanity. You are the dawn of a new creation. You are Virgin made Church, you are Mother of grace and mercy. Listen to our plea with the tenderness of your immaculate heart.

Saint Joseph, just and faithful servant of the Lord. You are a holy and generous custodian. Do not take your care away from us, lost pilgrims in search of the true homeland. Protect the Church from the snares of the evil one and teach us to trust in the One who gave his only Son to rescue us from sin, evil and death.

Saint Francis of Assisi, you who loved the poor and humble Christ so much that you wanted to relive in Greccio, with faith and devotion, the night of his birth in Bethlehem, intercede for us so that we can contemplate with a clean heart the beauty of the incarnation of the Son of God and the kindness of his gaze that calls us to a new life. Amen.