Diocese of Covington - Messenger at 402 E. 21st Street, Covington, KY 41015 US - Diocese joins in celebrating patron's jubilee year

Catholics who participate in events connected with the 2008-2009 jubilee year of St. Paul can receive a special indulgence, the Vatican announced in May. Pope Benedict established the Pauline year to run from June 28, 2008, to June 29, 2009, to mark the approximately 2,000th anniversary of the saint's birth.

Now Bishop Roger Foys has decreed that the opportunity for a plenary, or full, indulgence also be made available to the faithful in the Diocese of Covington. (An indulgence is a remission of the temporal punishment a person is due for sins that have been forgiven.) St. Paul is the patron saint of the diocese.

Bishop Foys’ decision was detailed last week in a letter to pastors and heads of religious congregations in the diocese. The letter, signed by Father Ryan Maher, director of the diocesan Office of Worship, detailed the normal requirements set by the Church.

Bishop Foys has designated three parish churches as pilgrimage sites in the diocese: the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington; St. Paul Church, Florence; and Sts. Peter and Paul Church, California, Ky.
The letter says the faithful may obtain a plenary indulgence during this Pauline year by fulfilling the following conditions: visiting one of the three designated pilgrimage sites; complete detachment from any inclination to sin; making a sacramental confession and receiving holy Communion at least one week before or one week after a visit to a pilgrimage site; and praying at least one Our Father and Hail Mary for the intention of the pope.

The decree notes the plenary indulgence may also be obtained by those who due to illness or other conditions cannot make a pilgrimage to a pilgrimage site. “Such persons should spiritually unite themselves to those who are able to participate in a Pauline year celebration in honor of St. Paul, offering their prayers and suffering to God for the unity of Christians,” the letter says.

Also announced is a diocesan-wide celebration the weekend of Jan. 24/25, 2009. The feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Jan. 25, will be observed in all parishes and other institutions of the diocese. The feast day’s prayers and readings will supercede those of the Sunday liturgy.


"The Pauline year has special significance for us since St. Paul is the patron of our diocese.” Bishop Foys said. “We place ourselves under his protection always but especially in this year during which we contemplate the depth of his faith, his fearlessness in professing that faith and his determination to spread the faith far and wide.

"I encourage all the faithful of the diocese to take advantage of this Pauline year and of the special indulgences available to us. I am grateful to Msgr. William Neuhaus of the cathedral, Msgr. Thomas Sacksteder of St. Paul Church and Father David Gamm of Sts. Peter and Paul Church for making their parish churches available as places of pilgrimage during this year. I pray that St. Paul, our patron and our model, will watch over us and bless us as we follow his example of proclaiming the Gospel to all."

A news report in May said Pope Benedict XVI authorized the granting of a plenary indulgence in order to highlight the Pauline year and open the way to the "interior purification" of the faithful during its celebration.
The plenary indulgence is being offered to pilgrims who come to Rome, to Catholics who participate in local events connected to the jubilee year, such as those announced by Bishop Foys, and to those who may be too ill or otherwise prevented from physical participation.

Pilgrimage sites during the Pauline year (ending June 29, 2009)
Bishop Foys has designated three parish churches as pilgrimage sites in the diocese:
the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, Covington
St. Paul Church, Florence
Sts. Peter and Paul Church, California, Ky.

Conditions for obtaining a plenary indulgence
Visiting one of the three designated pilgrimage sites;
Complete detachment from any inclination to sin;
Making a sacramental confession and receiving holy Communion at least one week before or one week after a visit to a pilgrimage site; and
Praying at least one Our Father and Hail Mary for the intention of the pope.

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