Steps Required to Gain the Nativity Plenary Indulgence until February 2nd

1. Make the intention of receiving the plenary indulgence. Ask God to help you be completely detached from all sin. He wants this for you, and He will help. Have confidence in God and in His grace.
2. Decide whether you wish to receive the indulgence for yourself or for the souls in Purgatory. Make your decision part of your intention also. You can obtain an indulgence, for yourself or for the souls in Purgatory, multiple times until February 2nd (see item 9. below).
3. Think about when you last went to confession, and consider whether you need to go again soon. To gain a plenary indulgence, one must go to confession within 20 days before or after seeking the indulgence. Confession is not optional but a requirement for obtaining the indulgence.
4. Visit the Nativity scene at the Blessed Sacrament or in another Catholic church or public chapel. Since worthy reception of Communion is a requirement, your home nativity or a nativity outside of a Catholic church of our diocese does not count.
5. Recite an Act of Contrition from the heart.
6. Pause in prayer for a few minutes before the nativity scene, contemplating the birth of Our Lord, and pouring out petitions to God for peace. It is especially fitting to pray for peace in the Holy Land.
7. Recite an Our Father, the Apostles’ Creed, and conclude with the following brief litany (this all may be done in the pew – you need not remain before the nativity for this part):
   

   Dearest Jesus, Infant King,
           Have mercy on us.
   Most Blessed Mother, Queen of Peace,
           Pray for us.
   Good Saint Joseph, guardian and protector of the Church,
           Pray for us.
   Saint Francis of Assisi, protagonist of peace,
           Pray for us.

8. Say a Hail Mary “for the intentions of our Holy Father, Pope Francis”. It is not necessary to know what his specific intentions are. Our Lady will know.
9. Go to Holy Communion worthily (in the state of grace) as soon as possible (within 20 days before or after). One confession can cover multiple indulgences – but one communion is needed for each indulgence you seek. Therefore, those who have gone to confession 20 days before or after seeking the indulgence and also go to Mass each day can theoretically receive one plenary indulgence per day. Worthy reception of Communion is not optional but a requirement for obtaining the indulgence.
10. Give thanks to God for these gifts of grace from Holy Mother Church, which help us on our path to eternal life with the Holy Family, St Francis, and all the saints and angels!