Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

Bishop James Conley has designated eight pilgrimage sites within the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln for the Jubilee Year of Hope. This initiative allows the faithful to obtain a Jubilee Indulgence. An indulgence is described as “a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven.” While sacramental confession forgives sins, an indulgence removes what Bishop Conley referred to as the “stain of sin.”

To receive plenary indulgences, individuals must be free from any attachment to sin, even venial ones. Bishop Conley noted that if complete detachment from sin is not possible, a partial indulgence is available for those striving toward holiness but still connected to sinful inclinations.

The standard conditions for receiving an indulgence include making a sacramental confession 20 days before or after participating in an indulgenced activity (one confession can cover multiple indulgences), receiving Holy Communion, and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father with prayers such as an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.

A plenary indulgence can be obtained once per day and may be applied either to oneself or to a deceased person, including souls in purgatory.

The designated pilgrimage sites are:

1. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in North Platte

2. Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Arapahoe

3. St. Mary in Orleans

4. Assumption in Dwight

5. The Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln

6. The Pink Sisters Chapel in Lincoln

7. St. Anthony in Steinauer

8. St. Benedict in Nebraska City