Our Holy Father Pope Benedict has proclaimed the period from 19 June 2009 to 19 June 2010 the Year of the Priest, under the patronage of the Curé of Ars, Saint John Marie Vianney.

An indulgence is a remission of temporal punishment due to sin, which would merit expiation in Purgatory. An indulgence is either plenary (complete) or partial. From 19 June 2009 to 19 June 2010, a plenary indulgence is granted to all the penitent faithful who, in a Church or Oratory, devoutly assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and offer prayers to Jesus Christ Supreme and Eternal Priest, for the Priests of the Church as well as any good work accomplished on that day, so that He may sanctify them and conform them to His Heart, if they have sanctified their own sins in sacramental Confession and raised prayers for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.

The plenary indulgence is available on the days in which the Priestly Year is opened and closed, on the day of the 150th anniversary of the pious death of Saint John Mary Vianney (4 Uagust 2009), on the first Thursday of every month, or on any other special days established by the local Ordinary.

To the aged, the infirm, and all those who, for legitimate reason, cannot leave their house, if they reject every sin and have the intention of fulfilling the conditions as soon as possible, will also be granted a plenary indulgence if, on the aforementioned days, they recite prayers for the sanctification of Priests and offer the infirmities and discomforts of their lives faithfully to God through Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles. A Partial Indulgence is also granted to all the faithful every time they devoutly recite five times the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, or other approved prayers in honour of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, to obtain that Priests may keep themselves in purity and sanctify of life.