Bishop issues decree, identifies pilgrimage sites


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Bishop issues decree, identifies pilgrimage sites

Jan. 31, 2008

DIOCESAN DECREE

The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, always wishes what is best for all her children, the faithful of our Lord Jesus Christ. By the grace and favor of God, she extends her prayers, her intercession, and her example to all the faithful. Through the merits of Jesus Christ, she was preserved from the stain of sin from the moment of her conception, so that she is able to proclaim in faith, "I am the Immaculate Conception." In saying this, she gives glory to God, from whom all graces pour forth.

We, too, her devoted children in faith, knowing the great mercy and compassion of God, and glorifying Him daily, entrust ourselves to our Mother’s ceaseless intercession. Therefore, we rejoice to follow her example of faith, opening for all believers the treasury of merits won for all people by the obedience of the Son of God.

In conformity with the decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary of 21 November 2007, I, Walker, by the grace of God and the favor of the Holy See Bishop of Sioux City, do hereby extend to all the faithful of the Diocese of Sioux City the promise of a Plenary Indulgence, either for oneself or, by suffrage, to the souls in Purgatory, for all those who complete the following meritorious acts, out of a spirit of pious devotion and faith:

	Receive the Sacrament of Penance with true repentance, and
	Receive the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, and
	Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father for the month of February, and
	Make a pilgrimage, including silent reflection, the Lord’s Prayer, a Profession of Faith, and the Jubilee prayer or some appropriate Marian invocation, to either:

	The holy sites of Lourdes, France, connected with the apparitions of Our Lady to Saint Bernadette in 1858, between 8 December 2007 and 8 December 2008; or
	One of the designated pilgrimage sites within the Diocese of Sioux City, between 2 February and 11 February 2008; unless
	For those prevented from travel by illness, age, or other legitimate reason, to undertake, between 2 February and 11 February 2008, a "spiritual visit" in the desire of their heart to one of the above places.

The designated pilgrimage sites of the Diocese of Sioux City are:

	The Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes at Trinity Heights, in Sioux City;
	The image of Our Lady of Lourdes at the Grotto of the Redemption, in West Bend;
	Any parish of the Diocese which reverently displays an image of Our Lady of Lourdes throughout these nine days.

Moreover, I encourage all the faithful to participate in the Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes, celebrating the 150^th anniversary of Our Lady’s gracious apparitions to Saint Bernadette. By such devotional acts, keeping alive the ancient Tradition and Truth of our faith, following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we conform ourselves to the will of our Lord, and share in the saving power of our Lord’s Paschal sacrifice which opens the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.

Given from the Chancery of the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa, on this 29^th day of January in the year of our Lord 2008, in witness whereof:

Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City

Dr. David A. Lopez, Ph.D.
Chancellor