Bishop Wester designates 12 Utah churches for Year of Faith pilgrimages

Intermountain Catholic

+ Enlarge

The Cathedral of the Madeleine, shown during the Chrism Mass March 21, is one of the 12 Utah churches designated for Year of Faith pilgrimages.

SALT LAKE CITY — When the Year of Faith opened last year, Pope Benedict XVI suggested that Catholics undertake a pilgrimage as part of their activities.

With this in mind, the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, has designated 12 churches or missions in the diocese as pilgrimage sites for the Year of Faith. A Year of Faith Pilgrimage Passport, with information about each site and a log to track visits to the sites, is available.

Designated as places of pilgrimage for the Diocese of Salt Lake City are The Cathedral of the Madeleine, Salt Lake City; Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Mission, Ft. Duchesne; Our Lady of Light Mission, Beaver; Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Salt Lake City; Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Kearns; Saint Ann Catholic Church, Salt Lake City; Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Orem; Saint Mary Catholic Church, West Haven; Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Salt Lake City; Saint Paul Catholic Center, Hurricane; Saint Pius X Catholic Church, Moab; and Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Hyde Park.

"A pilgrimage is a time to step back and reflect on the process of spiritual healing and growth," Bishop Wester wrote in the letter designating the sites. "It challenges us to look at our relationship with God and others and helps us center our lives in Christ."

A plenary indulgence will be granted to those who make a pilgrimage during the Year of Faith. According to the "Manual of Indulgences Norms and Grants," Catholics who are "truly repentant, have duly received the Sacrament of Penance and Holy Communion and who pray for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff," may receive the plenary indulgence each time they go as pilgrims to these designated churches "and take part there in some sacred function or at least pause in recollection for a suitable length of time with devout meditation."

The pilgrims must end their visit by reciting the Our Father, the Profession of Faith, invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary or, depending on the case, to the Holy Apostles or Patrons.

The Diocese of Salt Lake City Year of Faith Pilgrimage Passport is available at www.dioslc.org/year-of-faith/diocese-of-salt-lake-city-pilgrimage.