The Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio in L’Aquila on Wednesday 28 August 2024 solemnly welcomed the opening of the Holy Door by His Eminence Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi, Archbishop Emeritus of L’Aquila, on the occasion of the 730th Celestinian Pardon, that is the Bull of Forgiveness promulgated in 1294 by Saint Pope Celestine V. This represented a moment of profound spiritual and community significance, symbolizing an opportunity for forgiveness and renewal for the diocesan community. In his homily, Cardinal Petrocchi underlined the importance of peace and charity in a period marked by tensions, conflicts and wars: “Forgiveness is a powerful antidote to the contagious and epidemic ‘virus of conflict’, which seriously undermines communal and civil life.”
The solemn Holy Mass, presided over by Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi, with the Bishops of Abruzzo and Molise concelebrating, was preceded by the reading of the Bull of Forgiveness by the Mayor of L’Aquila and President of the Forgiveness Committee, Pierluigi Biondi. The reading was delivered on the stage in front of the Basilica of Collemaggio.
After the reading of the Bull, the Metropolitan Archbishop of L’Aquila, Monsignor Antonio D’Angelo, read the chapter of the Bull Spes non confundit of Pope Francis, for the announcement of the 2025 Jubilee, in which the Bull of Forgiveness and Pope Celestine V are mentioned.
Eugenia Roccella, Minister for the Family, Birth Rate and Equal Opportunities, participated on behalf of the Government, with representatives of all the local authorities and a delegation of parliamentarians elected in Abruzzo present. At the conclusion of the Sacred Rite, the Mayor of L’Aquila spoke with words of thanks, announcing the awarding of the “Forgiveness Prize” to Cardinal Petrocchi.
After the Holy Mass, the Nob. Dr. Baron Emanuele Muzj di Fontecchio, Knight of the Jure Sanguinis, representing the Delegation of Abruzzo and Molise of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, greeted Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi, conveying the greetings of the President of the Royal Commission for Italy, Prince Flavio Borghese of the Princes of Sulmona and Montecompatri, Knight Grand Cross of Justice; of the Lieutenant for Southern Peninsular Italy of the Royal Commission for Italy, H.E. the Marquis Pierluigi Sanfelice di Bagnoli, Knight of Justice; and the Delegate for Abruzzo and Molise, Dr. Andrea Santucci, Knight of Jure Sanguinis. Cardinal Petrocchi expressed his deep satisfaction for the charitable and cultural initiatives of the Constantinian Order to Baron Muzj di Fontecchio.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Pope Celestine’s papal bull granted a plenary indulgence to all faithful who passed through the holy door of the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio in L’Aquila on the anniversary of his coronation as Pope. The festival marking this event and known as “the Celestinian forgiveness” is celebrated every 28-29 August in L’Aquila.
Pope Celestine reigned as Pope for only 5 months in 1294. A week after issuing a decree confirming the right of a pope to resign, he himself resigned. His resignation was motivated by a desire to return to his prior simple life as a monk. But following his resignation, his successor, Pope Boniface VIII, fearing that he would try to return to the papacy, imprisoned Celestine. He died in prison in 1296 at an advanced age and was canonized in 1313 by Pope Clement V.
