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Pope OKs plenary indulgence for Lourdes' 150th anniversary
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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- To mark the 150th anniversary of Mary's appearance to St. Bernadette Soubirous near Lourdes, France, Pope Benedict XVI authorized a special indulgence to encourage renewed holiness. Catholics can receive a plenary indulgence for taking part in any public or private devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes, said U.S. Cardinal J. Francis Stafford, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, a Vatican court dealing with indulgences and matters of conscience. As Christians strive to become more holy, they can look to Mary who "calls the faithful to her son and his sacrifice and to the love of the Father," said the cardinal, quoting from "Lumen Gentium," the Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church. The Vatican published the cardinal's statement announcing the indulgence and outlining the requirements for receiving it Dec. 5. An indulgence is a remission of the temporal punishment due for sins committed. A plenary indulgence is the remission of all punishment. Cardinal Stafford said the indulgence can also be applied to the souls of the faithful in purgatory.
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