Special Blessings During the Year of Faith


God's Special Blessings of Grace and Mercy
By suffering and dying on the cross, Jesus Christ paid the eternal punishment for our sins, so that we may be united with Him in Heaven for all eternity. To guide us on our way, Jesus began the Catholic Church. He entrusted to the Church His authority to set us free from both sin and punishment for sin (Mt. 18:18).
We all have sinned and are in need of forgiveness and healing. If one steals a bike, he or she should ask for forgiveness and return the bike to the owner, to repair the damages as best as possible. In the same way, after our sins have been forgiven in the Sacrament of Confession, we need to repair the harm done due to our sins. To be able to enjoy Heaven, we must be pure and free from all sin, and any remaining (temporal) punishment will need to have been satisfied either on earth or in purgatory.
On various occasions, the Church desires to give us the gift of God’s special blessings of grace and mercy through indulgences. A partial indulgence can lessen the remaining punishment and a plenary indulgence can rid the punishment altogether. In order to gain an indulgence, the Church asks that we say certain prayers, perform loving deeds, or offer to God various penances.

During the Year of Faith, October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013, the faithful may receive a Plenary Indulgence. To obtain a plenary indulgence one must fulfill all of the General Conditions and do one of the Year of Faith Indulgence Acts.   
The General Conditions:
Must complete ALL of the following:
  • Be truly repentant (sorrow for sins and earnestly desire not to sin again)
  • Receive the Sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist (one week before or after the Indulgence Act is suggested)
  • Pray for the intentions of the Pope (usually an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and the Apostles Creed) 

Year of Faith Indulgence Acts:
Must complete at least one of the following:
† Listen to three homilies or talks on the topics of the Second Vatican Council and/or on the Articles of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in any Catholic Church or parish hall.
OR
† Take a pilgrimage to one of the Catholic Churches or consecrated shrines in the Diocese of Sioux City designated by Bishop Nickless for the Year of Faith (listed below) and go to Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, or spend some time in prayer and devotion, and pray the Apostles or Nicene Creed.
    • Cathedral of the Epiphany, Sioux City, IA
    • Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Boone, IA
    • Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ida Grove, IA
    • St. Joseph Catholic Church, Le Mars, IA
    • St. Mary Catholic Church, Rock Valley, IA
    • St. Mary Catholic Church, Wiley, IA
    • Sts. Peter and Paul Church, West Bend, IA
    • Grotto of Redemption, West Bend, IA
    • Maryhill Rosary Shrine, Maryhill, IA
    • Trinity Heights, Sioux City, IA
OR
† In any Catholic Church or shrine, go to Mass or pray morning or evening prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, and pray the Apostles or Nicene Creed on any of the following feast days designated by Bishop Nickless:
    • Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, 2012
    • Epiphany of the Lord on January 6, 2013
    • The Chair of St. Peter on February 22, 2013
    • St. Joseph, Husband of Mary on March 19, 2013
    • St. Mark, the Evangelist on April 25, 2013
    • St. Joseph the Worker on May 1, 2013
    • Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 7, 2013
    • Sts. Anne and Joachim on July 26, 2013
    • Transfiguration on August 6, 2013
    • The Exaltation of the Cross on September 14, 2013
    • Blessed Pope John Paul II on October 22, 2013
    • Christ the King on November 24, 2013
OR
† On any day during the Year of Faith, go to the Church where you were baptized or made the profession of faith and renew your baptismal promises.  
OR
† Go on a pilgrimage to a Papal Basilica, Christian catacomb, or any cathedral church and go to Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, or spend some time in prayer and devotion, and pray the Apostles or Nicene Creed.
OR
† Offering up their sufferings, those who are unable to take part in any of the above (such as cloistered sisters, prisoners, the elderly, and the sick) must fulfill the General Conditions (see above), watch a televised Mass with the Pope or listen to the Rosary or Chaplet of Mercy on the radio with Bishop Nickless, and pray an Our Father and the Apostles or Nicene Creed.