The last day of the calendar year is when we give thanks for the past 365 days. Even though Anno Domini MMXIII was a roller coaster of a year in the Church, we still have plenty to be thankful for in our lives.
The traditional sacraments, good priests and religious, family, friends and health are hopefully some of things for which we can give thanks today. For loved ones lost this year, perhaps we can give thanks that they were given Last Rites and, God-willing, died in the state of grace.
To that end, the Church grants a plenary indulgence today (31 December) under the usual conditions for publicly saying or singing the Te Deum "for the favors received in the course of the entire year."
26
§ 1. A plenary indulgence is granted to the Christian faithful who, in a church or in an oratory, are present [take part] in a recitation or solemn chant of: ...
2° the Te Deum hymn, on the last day of the year, in thanksgiving to God for the favors received in the course of the entire year.Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, 4th edition, al. concessiones.
May you have a safe, healthy and thankful end to 2013.
