Saint Meinrad named pilgrimage site

January 24, 2013

Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin, CSsR, of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis has named Saint Meinrad Archabbey and the Archabbey Church as a pilgrimage site for the Year of Faith.

Pope Benedict XVI will grant a plenary indulgence to the faithful for the Year of Faith that began October 11, 2012, and will end November 24, 2013.

To receive the indulgence, Catholics must participate in sacramental confession and Eucharist and pray the intentions of Pope Benedict XVI as well as take a pilgrimage to a papal basilica, Christian catacomb, a cathedral church or a holy site designated by the local ordinary for the Year of Faith. While there, they must participate in a sacred celebration or remain in prayer and meditation for an appropriate amount of time, concluding with the Our Father, the Profession of Faith and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Indianapolis Auxiliary Bishop Christopher Coyne states that an indulgence is a gift to us from God through the Church by which we in this life can fulfill any requirement of divine justice that we owe to God by properly engaging in the work that the Church has given us.

Other pilgrimage sites in Indiana named by Archbishop Tobin include the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. John the Evangelist Church and Calvary Mausoleum, all in Indianapolis; St. Mary of the Knobs Church in Floyds Knobs; Holy Family Parish and the Shrine to Our Lady of Fatima at the Congregation of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, both in Oldenburg; St. Augustine Church and Our Lady of Consolation Shrine in Leopold; and Church of the Immaculate Conception and Tomb of St. Mother Theodore Guerin at St. Mary-of-the-Woods.

The start of the Year of Faith marked the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

During the year-long celebration, Catholics are asked to study and reflect on the documents of the Vatican II and the Catechism to appreciate the gift of faith, deepen their relationship with God and strengthen their commitment to sharing their faith with others.

The public is welcome to join the Benedictine monks of Saint Meinrad Archabbey as they pray the Liturgy of the Hours and celebrate Mass.

Mass is celebrated each day in the Archabbey Church, at 7:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. Please visit http://www.saintmeinrad.edu/visit-us/prayer-schedule-tours/ for a complete prayer schedule.