On Jubilee

What is Jubilee? The word Jubilee is derived, according to many, from the Hebrew iobel, which signifies fiftieth, because among the Hebrews the year of Jubilee recurred in the fiftieth year; or, according to others, from the same word signifying the sound of the trumpet, by which the fiftieth year was announced. According to others also, Jubilee is derived from iubai or iobal, which signifies to germinate, because in the fiftieth year the land was not cultivated, and the inhabitants fed on fruits springing up of themselves.

In imitation of the Jubilee of the Old Testament, the ecclesiastical Jubilee was instituted, which first was celebrated at Rome, but afterwards began to be celebrated in the whole world, with the fullest indulgence of sins, with great joy and solemnity. It was instituted by Boniface VIII, Constitution Antiquorum habet, February 23, 1300, and was to be celebrated in every hundredth year. But Clement VI, by a Constitution of the year 1343, decreed that thereafter it should be celebrated in every fiftieth year. By decree of Urban VI it began to be celebrated in every thirty-third year; and by the statute of Paul II, in every twenty-fifth year.

Jubilee is defined: a solemn plenary indulgence, which the Supreme Pontiff sometimes grants to all the faithful, with the obligation of performing certain pious works, at the same time giving to confessors special power of absolving from reserved sins and censures, of commuting most vows, and of dispensing in other matters. Hence Jubilee does not differ except accidentally from an ordinary plenary indulgence, namely by reason of the solemnity and of the privileges annexed to it; and also by reason of the most abundant and extraordinary graces which accompany it. For the wonderful and astonishing effects which Jubilee is accustomed to produce point to these altogether special graces, even if solemn gatherings of the faithful are not held, nor the divine word preached, by reason of the prayers of the whole Church.

Of how many kinds is Jubilee? Jubilee is distinguished in many ways: the greater Jubilee, which regularly occurs every twenty-fifth year, which year is called holy. It is also called the ordinary Jubilee, because it is fixed and determined by law. The lesser Jubilee, which is accustomed to be granted by the individual Supreme Pontiffs after each one's exaltation, and in other particular circumstances, and is called an extraordinary Jubilee. General, which is granted to the whole world, such as the greater Jubilee always is, and sometimes also the lesser Jubilee; but it is accustomed to be granted first to the City, that is, to Rome alone, before it is granted to the world. Particular, which is granted to some province, city, or particular place, as is the most celebrated Jubilee granted to the Church of Le Puy, whenever the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin falls on the sacred day of Parasceve, that is, Good Friday.

A whole year is ordinarily granted at Rome for gaining the greater Jubilee; and in the following year six months are accustomed to be granted, by extension, to all other regions of the Christian world. The lesser Jubilee also first takes place at Rome, but for a few weeks, and then is extended to the whole world, so that, as the year runs, it can take place during the time to be determined by the Bishop. But both for the ordinary and for the extraordinary Jubilee, attention must above all be paid to the tenor of the Indult granted. Pius IX granted it for a very long time on the occasion of the Vatican Council. Leo XIII appointed the entire year 1886 and for all the faithful for gaining the Jubilee.

The ordinary Jubilee at Rome can be acquired toties quoties, as often as the imposed works are repeated. In the rest of the world it is acquired only once, unless the Supreme Pontiff in his Bull expressly declares otherwise. Benedict XIV, Constitution Benedictus Deus. But whether an extraordinary Jubilee can be acquired several times is to be determined from the Bull of concession. In the Jubilee of the year 1913 the Sacred Penitentiary declared, as on other occasions of preceding Jubilees, that the plenary indulgence could be acquired several times; but that someone could enjoy the other favors only once. Sacred Penitentiary, June 6, 1913.

In more recent times Jubilee has been proclaimed several times. Most memorable of all is the Jubilee of the Holy Year 1899, proclaimed by Leo XIII, Bull Properante ad exitum, May 11, 1899.

In the Jubilee of the holy year, or greater Jubilee, while it is being celebrated at Rome, not in the following year in which the Jubilee is extended to the whole world, there are suspended at Rome and outside Rome for the whole year all other indulgences of the Apostolic See, both plenary and particular, granted for the living, but not those which are granted for the dead. Indeed all indulgences, even those which otherwise were not applicable to the dead, can be applied to them in this year. Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, December 16, 1749; Benedict XIV, Constitution Inter praeteritos, § 24; Constitution Cum nos, May 17, 1749. Cf. the Invitation of the Cardinal Vicar of the City, 1900.

From the suspension of indulgences for the living are excepted: 1. indulgences for the dying; 2. indulgences for the prayer Angelus; 3. indulgences for the visitation of the Most Blessed Sacrament solemnly exposed; 4. indulgences for those who accompany the Most Blessed Sacrament when it is carried to the sick; 5. all indulgences which are granted by someone other than the Pope, by Legates a latere, Nuncios, Archbishops, Bishops. Benedict XIV, Brief Cum nos. But the indulgence of the papal blessing remains suspended, which Archbishops, Bishops, etc., give twice in the year. Clement XIII, Constitution Inexhaustum, September 3, 1762. Nevertheless in the Jubilee Constitution Quod Pontificum of Leo XIII, September 30, 1899, those indulgences remained intact "which Bishops are accustomed to bestow in the use of pontificals, or in imparting a blessing, or in another customary form."

Likewise, but outside Rome, faculties granted by the Holy See are suspended: of absolving from reserved cases and censures, of commuting vows, and of dispensing in irregularities and impediments, but not other faculties. Benedict XIV, Brief Cum nos, §§ 3-4; Constitution Inter praeteritos, § 32; Constitution Convocatis, §§ 55-56. But the faculty granted to Bishops by Trent, sess. 24, chap. Liceat, 6, de Ref., is excepted, and also other faculties which they enjoy by common law, or by special indult, in particular cases for determined persons. The same exception is to be made for faculties granted to regular prelates in favor of their subjects. Also intact remain the faculties of the Holy Office, of missionaries and ministers who have been deputed by the same Holy Office or by the Sacred Congregation de Propaganda Fide, and other faculties granted by the Sacred Penitentiary to missionaries to be exercised in mission places and on occasion of them. Benedict XIV, Brief Cum nos, § 3; Sacred Penitentiary, 1875; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 8, p. 486.

But since the same conditions of this suspension are not always observed, attention likewise must always be paid to the tenor of the Bull of Jubilee. L., book 6, nn. 535-536. For the Jubilee of the holy year 1900 the Sacred Penitentiary declared, December 21, 1899, that the suspension of faculties "does not extend to those penitents who, at the time of Confession, in the judgment of the Ordinary or confessor, cannot here and now go to the City without grave inconvenience." And on December 26, 1899, the same Sacred Penitentiary declared that that suspension does not extend to faculties granted to Ordinaries for the external forum.

Now this suspension of indulgences and faculties outside Rome, while the Jubilee is being celebrated at Rome, has this purpose: that the faithful may be invited to go to Rome. Benedict XIV, Constitution Inter praeteritos, § 17. Nevertheless many who cannot come to Rome can still gain the Jubilee in their own place of habitation, namely nuns, anchorites, the aged and infirm, and those detained in prisons. Leo XIII, Constitution Aeterni Pastoris, October 24, 1899. Those who have gained the Jubilee of the holy year at Rome can still gain the Jubilee when it is afterwards extended to the whole world. Monitore Ecclesiastico, vol. 11, p. 467, vol. 12, p. 315 ff.; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 33, p. 219 ff.; E.M.

What is required for gaining Jubilee? It is necessary to have the intention of gaining Jubilee, virtual or at least habitual. Moreover the prescribed works must be exactly fulfilled, and they cannot be commuted without the express faculty of the Supreme Pontiff. This faculty the Pontiff ordinarily grants to confessors for those impeded. Laymann, book 5, tract 8, chap. 8, n. 12.

In the general lesser Jubilee, the following works are regularly enjoined: fasting, alms, visitation of churches, with pious prayer according to the intention of the Supreme Pontiff, Confession, Communion. In the general greater Jubilee the prescribed works are: Confession, Communion, visitation of churches. Benedict XIV, Brief Inter praeteritos, December 3, 1749, for the Jubilee of the holy year; L., book 6, n. 536. For a particular Jubilee attention must be paid to the tenor of the Indult granted. Cf. Benedict XIV, Constitution In suprema, November 20, 1744, and Constitution Nullis verbis, February 20, 1745.

Works already owed from some other obligation cannot serve for gaining Jubilee, unless this is granted by the Supreme Pontiff. Benedict XIV, Encyclical Inter praeteritos, § 53; L., book 6, nn. 536, 538. They can be fulfilled in whatever order, as one wishes. Nevertheless it is necessary that one be in the state of grace when he fulfills the last one. Benedict XIV, Encyclical Inter praeteritos, §§ 73, 77. There is no obligation of completing the same works in one and the same week. Sacred Penitentiary, March 16, 1865; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 1, p. 176.

They can be fulfilled in one's own diocese, or in another diocese, conforming oneself to the prescriptions of the Ordinary of the place. Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, November 28, 1759; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 8, p. 486, vol. 18, p. 334. Likewise someone can perform Confession and Communion in a foreign diocese, and the other works in his own, again conforming himself to the prescriptions of the Ordinary of the place. Sacred Penitentiary, 1875; January 15, 1886; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 8, p. 486, vol. 18, p. 334. If Jubilee is prolonged for those traveling by sea, they can gain the Jubilee after their return to their homeland, by fulfilling the prescribed works, or gain it when they have arrived at some place of station. Sacred Penitentiary, 1875; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 8, p. 485; L., n. 538. E.M.

What of Confession and Communion? For gaining Jubilee, Confession is necessary even for those who do not have consciousness of grave sin. Nevertheless absolution is not necessary, unless it is prescribed in the Bull of Jubilee. In this Confession of Jubilee also, the confessor must impose a sacramental penance. Benedict XIV, Constitution Convocatis, §§ 46, 64, 65; Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, May 6, 1852.

If, after Confession has been performed and before the other works have been fulfilled, someone falls into grave sin, he must confess again in order to gain Jubilee, and it does not suffice that he be contrite. Benedict XIV, Constitution Convocatis, § 47; Inter praeteritos, § 79. Nevertheless the other works already fulfilled are not to be repeated. Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, November 23, 1759.

Annual Confession from obligation, even if someone approaches Confession twice and then is absolved once, does not suffice for gaining Jubilee without the express faculty of the Supreme Pontiff. The same is to be said of Easter Communion. Both the Confession and the Communion of Jubilee can be made in any church. Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, December 9, 1763; May 10, 1844; Sacred Penitentiary, January 25, 1875; February 26, 1875; February 26, 1879; March 25, 1881; January 15, 1886; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 8, p. 555. Confession can be made on the day preceding the first day of Jubilee, namely if it is made when the ecclesiastical day has already begun, that is, at first vespers of the first day of Jubilee. Benedict XIV, Constitution Inter praeteritos, § 8. E.M.

What of the visitation of a church? The number of visitations and the number of churches which must be visited are indicated by the Bull of Jubilee. When in some place a sufficient number of churches is not had, the Bishop can prescribe the visitation of one or two churches as many times as there are churches to be visited for the acquisition of Jubilee. Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, Decree Urbis et Orbis, March 15, 1852.

For the visitation the Bishop can also designate a public oratory in which Mass is habitually celebrated. Sacred Penitentiary, 1879; March 25, 1881; January 15, 1886; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 11, p. 528, vol. 13, p. 423, vol. 18, p. 334. The Bishop of the diocese can also lessen the number of visitations for those who make them processionally with the chapter, congregations, confraternities, and also with the pastor or another priest designated by him. Sacred Penitentiary, February 26, 1879; March 25, 1881; January 15, 1886; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 11, p. 527, vol. 13, p. 423, vol. 18, p. 333.

In the last Jubilee, on the occasion of the Constantinian feasts, it was said in the Constitution Universus Christifidelibus, March 8, 1913, that outside Rome the church or churches to be visited were to be designated only once by the Ordinary. Therefore, once designated, he could not change them further.

Regulars cannot perform the visitations in their own domestic chapels, nor can regular prelates designate these for their subjects; but they must perform the visitation in the churches prescribed by the Bishop. Regulars who are impeded can in particular obtain commutation from their own confessor. Sacred Penitentiary, 1875; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 8, p. 554; April 24, 1886; December 15, 1886.

Someone who has performed some visitations in his own diocese, if he goes into another diocese, can complete the remaining visitations there, according to the prescription of the Ordinary of the place. Sacred Penitentiary, 1875; January 1886; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 8, p. 486, vol. 18, p. 324; Sacred Penitentiary, June 5, 1901; Monitore Ecclesiastico, vol. 13, p. 202.

When in the Bull of Jubilee four visitations of churches in a day are prescribed, the day is taken either as natural, from midnight to midnight, or as ecclesiastical, from first vespers up to the end of twilight of the following day. "After the visitation of the four Basilicas has been completed on the same natural or ecclesiastical day, immediately, when a new ecclesiastical day begins, a new visitation of the four Basilicas can be begun again by entering again into the Basilica visited last." Sacred Penitentiary, January 31, 1900; February 20, 1900.

From first vespers means from the hour, namely, at which vespers are recited publicly or in choir, or at which according to custom they can be recited, or at which vespers begin according to approved authors, namely at about the second hour after noon. Benedict XIV, Inter praeteritos, § 3, n. 13; Sacred Penitentiary, January 25, 1875; February 20, 1900; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 8, p. 266, vol. 32, p. 512; Raccolta, p. XXII; Theodore of the Holy Spirit, de Indulgentiis, II, p. 74; Martinucci, Manuale Ecclesiasticorum.

When several visitations of churches are to be made and nothing is prescribed as to time, then all the visitations can be made either on the same day or on different days. Sacred Penitentiary, 1879; March 25, 1881; January 15, 1886; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 11, p. 528, vol. 13, p. 423, vol. 18, p. 334.

Several visitations to be made cannot be fulfilled by remaining longer in the church; rather, it is necessary to go out and enter again, although someone may enter again immediately afterwards. And when there was a great concourse of people, the visitation would be fulfilled even outside the church, by uniting oneself with the whole people. Sacred Penitentiary, January 25, 1875; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 8, pp. 268, 485; Theodore of the Holy Spirit, de Iubilaeo, chap. VI, § 1, n. 3.

The prayers to be recited in visitations of this kind according to the intention of the Supreme Pontiff must be vocal, and they can be any prayers, since they are not determined. According to the common opinion it suffices to recite five Pater, Ave, Gloria. Benedict XIV, Constitution Convocatis, § 51; Constitution Inter praeteritos, § 83.

One who in the City, or on the very journey to Rome for gaining the Jubilee, is seized by mortal illness or is prevented by another legitimate cause, can gain the Jubilee by Confession and Communion with the due dispositions. Benedict XIV, Constitution Inter praeteritos, § 14; Bull Properante ad exitum of Leo XIII, May 11, 1899; L., book 6, nn. 536-537; E.M.

What of the fast of Jubilee? For gaining Jubilee the fast must be observed, even by those who by the law of the Church are not bound to fasting, or who for a legitimate cause are dispensed from the law of fasting or from abstinence. If someone is legitimately impeded, he must obtain commutation from the confessor.

But one who has obtained from the confessor, for a just cause, the faculty of eating flesh-meat during the Jubilee fast could not at the same meal also eat fish. This permission granted by the confessor of eating flesh-meat cannot be extended to the evening collation, unless the confessor, having the due faculty, judges that someone ought to be dispensed altogether from the fast. But one who, by legitimate permission, can eat eggs and milk-foods can also eat fish at the same meal. Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, July 10, 1869; Sacred Penitentiary, February 26, 1879; March 25, 1881; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 11, p. 527, vol. 13, p. 422; Benedict XIV, Letter to the Archbishop of Compostela, June 10, 1745.

The fast prescribed in Jubilee is the ecclesiastical fast, according as it is observed by the law of the Church. Therefore the evening collation and the morning morsel are permitted, besides the one meal. But the use of flesh-meat is prohibited, and in Lent also the use of milk-foods, if that still has force. St. Thomas, II-II, q. 147, a. 8, ad 3; Sacred Penitentiary, January 20 and April 28, 1865; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 1, pp. 174-175.

And if outside the time of Lent a stricter fast is expressly prescribed, then a double abstinence from flesh-meat and from milk-foods must be observed, even outside the time of Lent, notwithstanding an Indult, Privilege, or general custom permitting milk-foods or even flesh-meat on days of fasting and of precept of the Church. Sacred Penitentiary, January 16, 1886; February 26, 1879; March 4, 1879; March 31, 1879; March 25, 1881; August 31, 1881; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 11, p. 527, vol. 13, pp. 422-423, vol. 18, p. 333.

If the Bull of Jubilee designates the days on which the fast is to be observed, the designated time is to be observed, and the fast is valid for gaining Jubilee, although at the designated time the fast falls on one to be observed by precept. But if the Bull of Jubilee does not designate the time of the fast, the fast cannot be made on the same day on which, from another source, there is a fast to be observed by precept of the Church, unless this is expressly conceded in the Indult of Jubilee, or is permitted by a special concession. Sacred Penitentiary, July 2, 1881; January 15, 1886; April 10, 1886; L., book 6, n. 537.

If three fasts are prescribed on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, almost all readily agree that these three fasts are to be fulfilled in the same week, since they are prescribed after the manner of the fasts of the Ember Days. Cf. Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, July 10, 1869. E.M.

What of almsgiving? Alms can be given by oneself and by another, provided that if it is given by another, one's own consent and intention are added. And thus the father of a family can give alms for himself, for his wife, for his children, for his servants. The superior of a convent or monastery can give alms for the whole convent or monastery, etc.

If nothing is prescribed, any alms suffices for the rich and for the poor. But if alms proportioned to one's fortune are prescribed, then indeed that which suffices for the poor does not suffice for the rich. Theodore of the Holy Spirit, I, p. 323; L., book 6, n. 538; La-Croix, nn. 1428, 1430; Laymann, chap. 8, n. 12; E.M.

What of the faculty of confessors for commuting the imposed works? Confessors can, for a just cause, commute the imposed works of Jubilee into other pious works which are not already owed, and therefore into others almost equal. Confession and Communion, and likewise prayers according to the intention of the Supreme Pontiff, when they are separated from the visitation of the church, are excepted from this commutation. But for children who have not yet been admitted to First Communion, commutation into another pious work at the judgment of the confessor is permitted. Benedict XIV, Constitution Inter praeteritos, §§ 53, 80; Constitution Convocatis, § 48.

One who without his own fault, from whatever cause, was impeded from approaching Communion can also obtain a delay from his own confessor. Thus commonly. Bouvier, Opusculum de Indulgentiis et Iubilaeo, chap. 3, § 4; Gury, n. 1066; Ballerini-Palmieri, Opus Morale, 3rd ed., vol. 5, n. 817.

A commutation of this kind seems to be made in Confession, cf. n. 1365, unless something else is declared, as in the Jubilee of the year 1865. Benedict XIV, Constitution Convocatis, § 25; Constitution Inter praeteritos, § 63; Leo XIII, January 30, 1886; Sacred Penitentiary, March 16, 1865; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 1, p. 176; L., book 6, n. 534, 15th. But if the Jubilee can be gained several times, then also for a legitimate cause the prescribed works can be commuted several times. Sacred Penitentiary, July 2, 1881; March 18, 1886; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 18, p. 512.

Nevertheless in the Jubilee of the Holy Year 1900 the contrary was declared by the same Sacred Penitentiary, February 20 and May 10, 1900; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 12, p. 637, vol. 13, p. 64. And at the same time it was declared that although someone cannot obtain several commutations from the confessor, he can nevertheless gain Jubilee again by repeating the works imposed in the first commutation. Sacred Penitentiary, May 10, 1900; Monitore Ecclesiastico, vol. 12, p. 167. E.M.

What of other faculties of confessors? A confessor can absolve anyone from all sins and censures, even those reserved in a special manner to the Supreme Pontiff or to the Bishop, whether occult or public; whether the censures have been imposed by law or by man, with only the absolution of an accomplice and a false accusation of solicitation excepted. Benedict XIV, Constitution Inter praeteritos, §§ 56-61; Constitution Sacramentum Poenitentiae, § 5; Constitution Convocatis, §§ 5-6; Sacred Penitentiary, June 1, 1865; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 8, p. 360; Pius X, Brief Universis, March 8, 1912; Acta Apostolicae Sedis, vol. 5, p. 93.

Nevertheless in the Jubilee of the holy year 1900 a false accusation of solicitation was not excepted. And the absolution of an accomplice was excepted which had been given three times or more. Leo XIII, Bull Quoniam divinae, October 21, 1899.

But this absolution can be given only once, and only in the forum of conscience, after satisfaction has been made to the injured party and scandal repaired, and only in favor of those who wish to gain Jubilee and to fulfill the prescribed works. Benedict XIV, Constitution Inter praeteritos, §§ 62, 86; Sacred Penitentiary, June 1, 1869; January 15, 1886; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 5, p. 33, vol. 18, p. 334; L., book 6, n. 537.

Formerly heresy also was excepted; Benedict XIV, Constitution Convocatis, § 53; Constitution Inter praeteritos, §§ 38, 85; Holy Office, March 23, 1656. But at present heresy also is comprehended, after it has first been retracted and abjured. Sacred Penitentiary, June 1, 1869; January 25, 1875; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 5, p. 32, vol. 8, p. 266.

One who, after he has been absolved from reserved matters or has obtained a commutation of vows, afterwards, with changed will, does not wish to fulfill the imposed works of Jubilee, although he sins, but not gravely according to the common opinion, nevertheless remains absolved from reserved matters and dispensed from the vows. Benedict XIV, Constitution Inter praeteritos, § 86; Constitution Convocatis, § 54; L., book 6, n. 537; Lugo, disp. 20, n. 100; Salmanticenses, chap. 13, n. 57.

Likewise one who has been absolved from reserved matters and dispensed from vows, and who received no absolution or a sacrilegious one, remains absolved from reserved matters and dispensed from vows. St. Alphonsus, book 6, n. 537, indeed denies this. But other grave doctors probably affirm it, and therefore, since the reservation would now be doubtful, it practically ceases. Cf. n. 806; Lugo, disp. 20, nn. 111-113; Benedict XIV, Constitution Inter praeteritos, § 62.

One who during the time of Jubilee has rightly completed Confession, although in it he forgot reserved sins, can afterwards, after the Jubilee, be absolved from those same sins, since he was then at least absolved from the reservation, or acquired a right to absolution. The same is to be said of dispensation from vows. L., book 6, n. 531, 537, q. 4; Ferraris, v. Iubilaeum, art. 2, n. 27; La-Croix, n. 1449.

Likewise the confessor can absolve the penitent from censures and from the reservation of sins, and dispense his vows, although the confessor must defer absolution to him, if nevertheless the penitent fulfills the admonitions of the confessor and performs the other prescribed works of Jubilee, being about to obtain absolution thereafter even after the Jubilee. L., book 6, nn. 535, 537.

If someone, in a Confession made for Jubilee which he has already gained, had no reserved cases, nor vows to be dispensed, he can still once be absolved from reserved matters and be dispensed from vows, if he can again gain Jubilee by again performing the prescribed works. Sacred Penitentiary, January 1, 1873. Hence the same Sacred Penitentiary, June 5, 1901, declared the contrary, having regard to the Constitution Temporis quidem, December 25, 1899, for the extension of the Jubilee of that year, by which the Jubilee could be acquired only once. Monitore Ecclesiastico, vol. 12, p. 489, vol. 13, p. 202.

In the Jubilee of the holy year the indulgence can be obtained several times, the imposed works being repeated; but someone can use the other graces only once. Therefore one who has already once been absolved from reserved sins and censures, and has gained Jubilee, although he afterwards repeats the imposed works in order again to gain Jubilee, cannot any longer be absolved from reserved matters.

But whether he can be absolved again if he has not yet gained Jubilee even once, since he has not yet performed all the imposed works, so that he may gain it at least once: some deny it, from Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, July 10, 1869; Sacred Penitentiary, June 1, 1869; January 25, 1875; January 15, 1886; Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 5, p. 32, vol. 8, pp. 267, 359, vol. 18, p. 333; but others affirm it, unless the contrary is expressed in the Bull of Jubilee. When the doubt was proposed: "Whether during the time of the present Jubilee of 1901 it is lawful for confessors to use several times the extraordinary faculties granted to them toward the same penitent, who has not yet fulfilled all the works imposed for gaining the indulgence of Jubilee," the Sacred Penitentiary, January 25, 1901, answered: "In the affirmative." Acta Sanctae Sedis, vol. 33, p. 375. It answered the same on April 3, 1904; Monitore Ecclesiastico, vol. 16, p. 169; D'Annibale, part 3, n. 190, 2nd ed., and part 1, n. 348, 3rd ed. Cf. Benedict XIV, Constitution Convocatis, § 52; Constitution Inter praeteritos, §§ 67, 73, 77, 78, 79, 84, 85; Acta Apostolicae Sedis, vol. 5, p. 279.

During the time of Jubilee, Regulars can, without any permission of their Superiors, confess to any regular or secular confessor approved by the Ordinary of the place, or approved only by his own Prelate; and they can be absolved by him even from cases reserved in their Order. Benedict XIV, Constitution Inter praeteritos, §§ 35-36; Sacred Penitentiary, January 30, 1886.

But nuns can also confess to any confessor, but one approved by the Ordinary of the place for nuns. L., book 6, n. 236; Ferraris, v. Approbatio, art. 2, n. 21. And the Sacred Penitentiary, January 11, 1900, declared: "The benefits of the Bull Aeterni Pastoris (of the Jubilee of the Holy Year) also pertain to nuns professed of simple vows, and it is lawful for them once to choose for themselves a confessor from those simply approved to hear the Confessions of secular persons." "The free choice of confessor, which is granted to regulars and nuns for the effect of the Jubilee, that is, if there is the intention of gaining Jubilee, can be exercised by them several times, until they have completed the works required for Jubilee." Sacred Penitentiary, June 9, 1901, ad 3.

Finally confessors can commute vows, or by commuting dispense vows, even sworn vows and vows reserved to the Apostolic See, except vows of chastity and of religion, and those in favor of a third party, and penal vows or vows preservative from sin; and they can dispense from irregularity arising from violation of censure, but not from others, in which, as in all the rest, the tenor of the Bull of Jubilee is to be attended to. Benedict XIV, Inter praeteritos, § 45; L., book 6, n. 536. And in those matters in which the Bull of Jubilee is not opposed, the rules handed down by Benedict XIV in the same Constitution Inter praeteritos are to be observed. Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, March 15, 1852; Leo XIII, Bull Temporis quidem, December 25, 1899; E.M.