Pope Francis has granted the faithful the opportunity to obtain two plenary indulgences for the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Austin.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints … The faithful can gain indulgences for themselves or apply them to the dead.”

The first indulgence involves travel to one of the pilgrimage sites designated for the 75th anniversary. This indulgence may be obtained any day between Nov. 19, 2022, and Nov. 18, 2023. To gain this plenary indulgence, complete the following:

• Be baptized and in the state of grace at the completion of the prescribed works below.
• Devoutly visit a pilgrimage site and pray the Our Father and recite the Creed while at the pilgrimage site. Bishop Joe Vásquez has designated five parishes as pilgrimage sites for the 75th anniversary: St. Mary Cathedral in Austin, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in College Station, St. John the Evangelist Parish in Marble Falls, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Taylor or Sacred Heart Parish in Waco.
• Go to confession within a few days (before or after) of the visit to the pilgrimage site. (This can be done at your home parish and does not have to be done at the pilgrimage site.)
• Receive the Eucharist within a few days of the visit to the pilgrimage site. (This can be done at your home parish and does not have to be done at the pilgrimage site.)
• Pray for Pope Francis and for his intentions. (This can be done by saying, “For the intentions of the Holy Father.” Then praying one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be. And completing with the sign of the cross.)

A second plenary indulgence may be received by visiting any Catholic church or mission in the Diocese of Austin on one of three specific dates and offering a prayer of thanksgiving for the 75th anniversary of the diocese.To gain this indulgence, complete the following:

• Be baptized and in the state of grace at the completion of the prescribed works below.
• Devoutly visit a Catholic church or mission in the diocese on one of the following dates: Nov. 19, 2022, Dec. 8, 2022, or Nov. 18, 2023. At the church or mission, offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the 75th anniversary and pray the Our Father and recite the Creed.
• Go to confession within a few days of the visit. 
• Receive the Eucharist within a few days of the visit.
• Pray for Pope Francis and for his intentions. (This can be done by saying, “For the intentions of the Holy Father.” Then praying one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be. And completing with the sign of the cross.)

Those who are unable due to age, illness or other circumstances to leave their home are able to gain the indulgence by spiritually joining themself to the anniversary celebrations and by offering their sufferings to God.

The Opening Mass and Program celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Diocese of Austin will be held Nov. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bell County Expo Hall in Belton. Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate Mass, then Franciscan Father Dave Pivonka, president of Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, will give a keynote presentation. The event will conclude with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and live music by the Dave Moore Band. Seating is limited. Visit www.austindiocese75.org/rsvp to reserve a seat.